Born: May 26, 1934

Died: Dec. 2, 2012

Barbara J. Simpson, 78, of Wood’s Edge Drive in Niles, Mich., died at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 at her home following a long battle with cancer.  Barbara’s family is grateful to the staff of Hospice at Home for their faithful and compassionate care.

She was born on May 26, 1934 in Chicago to Ralph and Dorothy (Meyers) Phillips.  She was graduated from Hammond (Indiana) High School, and as a young woman, was employed at Da-Lite Screen Company.  She has lived in Niles since 2001.

Barbara was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles.  She was also a past president of the Christian Women’s Club in Plymouth, Ind., and a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.  She enjoyed quilting, canning, and traveling throughout the United States.  Her greatest joy was caring for her family as a mother and grandmother.

On June 10, 1967, as Barbara (Phillips) Vaughn, she married Lawrence E. Simpson, with whom she celebrated the forty-fifth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Larry Simpson; and children, Debbie (& Tom) Plummer of Windsor, Colorado, Mark (& Sherri) Vaughn of Elkhart, Indiana, and Lisa (& William) Bidlack of Granger, Indiana; grandchildren Nicki, Drew, Kyle, Amanda, and Allison; four great-grandchildren; and Barbara’s brother, Gene (& Elaine) Phillips of Illinois.

The funeral service for Barbara Simpson will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 at Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Cathi Huvaere of Wesley Church officiating.  The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church.  Committal services will be later at Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, Ind.

Contributions in memory of Barbara may be made to Hospice at Home.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com