Barbara Irene Mathews , 97 of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 4:18 a.m. Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Storypoint West, Fort Wayne, IN.

Born on March 23, 1928, in Hammond, IN, she was the daughter of the late Ben and Ruth (Peters) Crowe.  Growing up in Hammond, Indiana, she graduated from Hammond High School in 1946.

Barbara married William "Bill" Leroy Mathews on April 22, 1950, beginning their 73-year journey together.

Military life took Barbara and Bill to Germany, Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington, and Indiana.  After Bill's retirement in 1970, they settled in Janesville, WI, until their move to Spring Hill, FL.  In 2010, they moved to Albany, WI, then to Kenosha, WI in 2014, and finally to Columbia City in 2018 to be near their son and his wife, Ed and Theresa Mathews.

In March of 2022, Barbara and Bill made their home at Storypoint West in Fort Wayne, IN.  Barbara lost the love of her life, Bill, on April 5, 2024.

Family was always the most important focus of Barbara's life.  She was a military wife, and it wasn't always easy raising five children during Bill's overseas tours, but her love for her husband and children always came first.

If you knew Barbara, you know that she never missed sending a birthday, Christmas, or anniversary card to all family and friends.  It was often said she should have bought stock in Hallmark years ago.

Barbara is survived by children, Betsy (Michael) Brown of Monroe, WI, Eddie (Theresa) Mathews of Columbia City, IN, and Bonnie Baird of Horseshoe Bend, AR; 12 grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her children, William, Mark, Ben, and Marie, granddaughters Elizabeth and Cynthia; brothers Richard, Robert, and Doug, and sisters Dorothy and Shirley.

Barbara felt very blessed for all the love and support she received from Bill's side of the family especially from Bill's sister-in-law Carol Mathews of Boerne, TX, sister Kay (Roger) Ernsberger of South Bend, IN, sister Ann (Doug) Heller of Springboro, OH and brother Carl (Laura) Mathews of Phoenix, AZ and loving and kind nephew and niece Tommy and Mathews and Dawn McClendan who visited them while at Storypoint.

Visitation is Tuesday (Dec 2nd) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.
Barbara will then be cremated, and Bill and Barbara's ashes will be interned at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff of Storypoint West and Elios Hospice for their compassionate Care.

Memorials in Barbara's honor are to the Wounded Warrior Project.