Barbara Ruth Killion, 92, parted on January 10, 2013 at Century Villa Nursing Home in Greentown, IN . She was born on April 24,1920 along with twin brother, Byron Russell, to Robert Edgar and Ruth Hall Smith.
A life long resident of Terre Haute, she graduated from Garfield HS in 1938 and studied Art at Indiana State Teachers’ College.
On April 17, 1944, she married Walter Henry Killion at Westminster Presbyterian Church. They were married 32 years when he died August 31, 1976. They owned Killion’s Sundries, 2305 S. 3rd St., from 1947-1957; and Barb managed it, cooking soups, sandwiches, and desserts for the luncheonette. She developed a reputation for the best homemade pies ever, even into the 1990’s when she baked them for her son at Jeff’s Grille. In 1985, she retired with 25 years service as a long distance telephone operator.
She expressed a great love of God in Christ Jesus through her work in her church from singing in the choir to leadership roles as elder, deacon, and in the Sunday School.
She was committed to public education providing leadership in the PTA’s at Greenwood, Fairbanks, and Sarah Scott. She loved to sing and hummed into her last days! In retirement she sang in the Vigo Co. Home Extension Choral Club.
In May 2007, she moved to Kokomo to be near family.
Barb is survived by her sister Frances Cassle, 95, of Cathedral City, CA. She has three children: daughter, Diana (Edward) Pulver, Kokomo; son, Jeffrey (Patricia) Killion, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; daughter, Pamela Killion, Eagle, CO.; two grandsons: Brian (Michele) Pulver, Mt. Prospect, IL; Kevin Pulver, Chicago; three great grandsons, Benjamin, Lucas, and Matthew Pulver. She was a loving role model for eighteen nieces and nephews who were proud to call her Aunt Barb. There are 28 great nieces and nephews, more than 19 great great nieces and nephews, and many dear cousins. She is sister-in-law to Cork (Virginia) Killion, Betty (Mrs. Frank) Killion, Betty (Killion) Sodora, and Shirley Killion.
She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; two brothers, Robert and Byron Smith, two sisters, Mary Esther Michener and Elizabeth Elstner; sisters-in-law, Louise (Mrs. Elmer) Coons and Vivian (Killion) Beard.
DeBaun Springhill Chapel is handling arrangements and Rev. Linda Peters is officiating. Friends and family may pay their respects at a Memorial Service, 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Unity Presbyterian Church with the Visitation following. Burial is at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, 1207 E. Springhill Rd. or the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, 46240.
