Obituary of Barbara A. Conrad

Barbara A. Conrad, 85, a long-time resident of Niles, Michigan, and recently of Palm Bay, Florida, where she resided with her daughter Linda and son-in-law Jim, entered the presence of the Lord on Monday, July 13, 2015, with her family surrounding her. Barbara was born to the late John "Ted" and Zelma (Weaver) Simpson on March 11, 1930 in Niles, Michigan. After graduation from Niles High School in 1947, Barbara married Leon Conrad in Berrien Springs, Michigan on August 21, 1953. Barbara worked for various companies including Simplicity Pattern and Kawneer in Niles, Clark Equipment in Buchanan, and Essex Wire, in Berrien Springs. Barbara then began the work she loved most, being a homemaker and mother of six children. Barbara loved being involved in both the Cass County and Berrien County Fairs, earning countless championships for her flowers, canning, baking, vegetables, and other home-related entries. Barbara was the 1997 "Homemaker of the Year" for the Cass County Fair and enjoyed attending the annual Niles Apple Festival. Barbara loved writing poetry, playing bingo, and tending her gardening. She was also a volunteer of the Pokagon Township Fire Department Auxiliary and a member of the Sumnerville Community Grange. Barbara will best be remembered for: the twinkle in her eye that accompanied her quick wit, the love for each person in her large family, and her exceptional gardening and cooking skills. Barbara loved the Lord and was a long- standing member of Sumnerville Bible Baptist Church and attended Pokagon United Methodist Church. She was an avid supporter of "The Old Rugged Cross Foundation." Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two brothers; Glen Theodore and John Kenneth Simpson. Barbara is survived by her three daughters; Susan (Tom) Welch, Melody Conrad, and Linda (Jim) DiGeorgio, three sons; John "Ted" (Carole) Conrad, Leon "Dan" (Wanda) Conrad, and Jim (Veronica) Conrad, sixteen grandchildren, and numerous great grand children, and a brother, Richard (Rosalie) Simpson. Services for Barbara will be July 25th, 2015 beginning at 11 a.m., at Brown Funeral Home with visitation the evening before beginning at 4 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home. There will be a potluck luncheon following the services at The Grange in Sumnverville. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Barbara may do so to The Old Rugged Cross Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 41, Niles, MI 49120, or to the Pokagon Township Volunteer Fire Department, 31555 Pokagon Hwy, Niles, MI 49120.