Barbara Jean Moore-Caskey

A fun-loving woman with a bubbly personality, Barb Moore-Caskey was a joy to know and love. Barb never knew a stranger, and once you became her friend, you were always her friend. She loved her family above all, and among them she found the greatest joy. Deeply missed, Barb will be forever remembered in the hearts of many.

The year 1945 marked many changes in the history of America. The slinky made its debut to the delight of children everywhere, and radios were tuned to the likes of Bing Crosby, Perry Como and the Andrews Sisters. The victorious end to World War II brought joy and celebration the world over as the housing boom reached new heights. Yet nestled in the small mining town of Smithers, West Virginia along the Kanawha River, nothing compared to the excitement experienced by Isom and Imogene (Myers) Moore when they found out the news that they were going to have a child. Tragedy struck the young couple and unfortunately, Isom, who worked in a local chemical plant, died in a tragic chemical explosion before the birth of Barbara Jean Moore on March 11, 1945.

Her mother eventually met and married a gentleman by the name of Grover Crowder when Barbara was two years old. He would go on to raise and love Barb as his own. She was later joined by her little sister, Ilene, and two younger brothers, Gary and Walter. Her youngest brother was born on Barbs tenth birthday, and within three months, her family packed up their belongings, borrowed a family members car and headed for Indiana. After living in the bottoms of West Virginia and Grovers hard work in the coal mines, a better life and job opportunities awaited them. They soon settled in Ligonier, Indiana where they made their home.

Barb attended the area schools and as the oldest, she helped around the house and was a big help with her siblings. During her teen years, Barb was a huge Elvis Presley fan. She absolutely loved Elvis, had all his records, and saw nearly all of his movies. Barb became quite frustrated when her father didnt allow her to watch him when he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, even though they only showed him from the waist up! Barb attended Cromwell High School and eventually went on to receive her GED. While in her fifties, she decided to further her education and attended college at Ivy Tech where she studied computers.

When it came to being a mother, Barb encouraged her children, Sara Kay and Wallace in each of their endeavors. She especially enjoyed supporting her children with their involvement in the 4-H program where they raced Quarter and Appaloosa horses. For many years, Barb and her family lived at Diamond Lake where she enjoyed all the area had to offer. A hard working woman, Barb worked at Homecrest in Goshen as a machine operator and group leader for 18 years prior to retiring in 1998. She had also worked at Essex in Ligonier for eight years and at Lyall Electric in Cromwell for four years.

Barbs love for cooking was evident as she learned to prepare good southern-style comfort food. Her potatoes and gravy, along with her homemade vegetable soup was scrumptious, as well as her candy, fudge and pumpkin rolls which will all be missed. Christmastime was Barbs favorite time of the year. Shed go all out decorating for the holiday which filled her heart and home with joy. Sadly, life as Barb knew it was forever changed in 1983 when her daughter, Sara was killed in a motorcycle accident shortly after becoming engaged. This time in Barbs life was very difficult, but the love of family and friends saw her through.

After living in Ligonier for 35 years, Barb moved to Columbia City in 2008. She always loved being outdoors, and could often be found gardening in her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She also canned a good portion of the vegetables she grew. Barb enjoyed crocheting and made many treasures she shared with family and friends. She had a knack for shopping, and quite often from the TV shopping networks. Through the years she accumulated all sorts of gadgets she purchased and collected from the shows!

Barb enjoyed getting away and traveling now and then. It never mattered where she was going, she simply enjoyed the adventure. If someone asked where she wanted to go, anywhere was great for her. Memorable trips included traveling to Atlanta, Georgia to see the Olympics and visits to see her brother in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She had the best time when she went to Las Vegas and of course, she loved all the Elvis impersonators there!

Barb was a wonderful woman to be around. Always smiling with her bright and bubbly personality, it was a joy to share her company. She enjoyed talking, and she could strike up a conversation with anyone and become instant friends. Being surrounded by her family and those she held most dear brought her much happiness, and for those who knew Barb best, her love was unending. Although Barb will be deeply missed, may her love be what is remembered most.

Barbara Jean Moore-Caskey, 70, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Millers at Oak Pointe, Columbia City. Barb is survived by her mother, Imogene Crowder of Columbia City; brothers, Walter (Joy) Crowder of Columbia City and Gary (Karen) Crowder of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; sister, Ilene (Ron) Swank of White Pigeon, MI; son, Wallace (Rebecca) Caskey of Avilla; grandchildren, Sarah Caskey, Crystal Caskey and Amanda Rummel, and Erich Hansen; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Grover Crowder and by her daughter, Sara Kay Caskey.

Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the funeral home with Pastor Randy Penwell officiating. Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery. With her love for Christmas, memorial gifts may be given in her memory to Patrolling for Presents. To share a favorite memory of Barb or to send her family online condolences, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com .