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Barbara Barkalow, 87, of Creston died Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Lenox Care Center in Lenox. Celebration of Life memorial services will be planned at a later date. Memorials can be directed to the Diabetic Association of St. Malachy School in Creston. Condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Barbara Lee (Bradford) Barkalow, daughter of Edith Delia (Ames) and Francis Cornelius Bradford, was born Jan. 16, 1934, in Traverse City, Michigan. She graduated from St. Francis High School in Traverse City in 1952, and then furthered her education at the St. Mary’s Nursing School in Gary, Indiana, graduating in 1955.
On Nov. 19, 1955, she was united in marriage to Merle Eugene Barkalow in Traverse City, Michigan. After their marriage, they moved to Cameron, Missouri, where she worked at Cameron Hospital as a registered nurse, until moving back to Traverse City in 1956, where she worked at Munson Hospital until 1958.
They moved to Creston in 1958, where Barbara was first a homemaker, then later began working at the Greater Community Hospital from 1959 to 1970, then to Cochran Nursing Home until 1972.
She then took a director of nurses position at the Crest Haven Care Center, working there until 1974, when she became the director of nurses at the Afton Care Center, retiring in 1981.
Barbara was a member of the St. Edwards Catholic Church in Afton, Port St. Lucie Hospital Auxiliary for 15 years, Catholic Daughters, as well as the Altar Society.
Barbara is survived by her daughters: Jean Marie (Dan) Riedel of Polo, Missouri, Merle Lee Pugh of Arispe; son John (Jonan) Barkalow of Creston; sisters-in-law: Barbara Bradford of Traverse City, Michigan, Pat Barkalow of Creston, Phyllis Bradford of Winder, Georgia and Barbara Bradford of Bellare, Michigan; brother-in-law Robert Neeley of Port St. Lucie, Florida; four granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1988; daughter Michelle in 1960; sister Frances Neeley; brothers: Robert Bradford, Richard Bradford, Edward Bradford and Harry Bradford; son-in-law David Pugh; brothers-in-law Derold Barkalow and Ervin “Tiny” Barkalow; sisters-in-law Angie Bradford, Caryl Bradford, Roberta Barkalow and Carol Bradford; along with many nieces and nephews.