Barbara Lou Born, 77, of rural Columbia City, died unexpectedly at her home at 6:09 p.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2021.

Born on December 11, 1943, in Laud, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Porter S. and Vernagene Mae (Billings) Wince. Growing up in Jefferson Twp., Whitley County, she completed grade school at Jefferson Center and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in1962.

On April 6, 1963, she married Larry E. Born. They have always made their home in Thorncreek Twp., Columbia City.

For over ten years, she worked as a teacher's aide at the Thorncreek Twp. School. Taking an administrative position with Heckman's Sani-Service, she moved with the company when sold to National Serv-All, Fort Wayne, where she had 20 years of service. She completed her work career with USA Powerlifting at the Linvill Center, Columbia City receiving a national award for her dedicated service at "The Arnold" Arnold Schwarzenegger Power Lifting Championship. She retired in 1999.

An accomplished artisan, she handcrafted hundreds of quilts, some of which have been on display at area quilt shows and galleries. Using her sewing skills to produce one-of-a-kind elegant wedding gowns, she then completed the event by baking and decorating elaborate wedding cakes. Studying under renowned artist, she applied her talents to paintings in oils, watercolors, and acrylics earning her work a spot at area museums and galleries.

She was a member of the Tri-Lakes Baptist Church, the Fort Wayne Art Guild, Whitley County Quilters, and the Whitley County Art Guild. She donated her time and talent and made quilts for the local Lioness Club and BABE of Whitley County.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Larry; children, James Born of Grand Rapids, MI, Jody (Brian) Hollenbaugh of Columbia City; Jill (Brad) Weikart, Jeana Born and Jonathan Born, all of Fort Wayne; a grandchild, Chloe Weikart and step-grandchildren, Preston Duncan, Whitley (Joe) Mikolay and Kathryne (Jon) McNamee; and a sister, Deloris Duff of Pittsburgh, PA.

She was predeceased by a sister Sandra Crawford and a brother-in-law Richard Duff.

The funeral service is 7 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Visitation is 3 p.m. until the service Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment at the Blue River Cemetery will take place on a later day.

Memorials in Barbara's honor are to Cancer Services of NE Indiana.