Barbara Jean Nordman, 87, of Wabash, Indiana, died Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on October 15, 1938, in Wabash, Indiana, to Earl and Ruth (Heinnickel) Parson.
Barbara graduated from Noble High School in 1956. She married Frank Albert Nordman in Wabash on August 15, 1956; they shared 69 loving years together. Barbara was a good mother and a good wife. She loved flowers, especially roses, and enjoyed working in the church flower garden. In her younger years, she was always busy, gardening, canning, or mowing the yard. She loved reading Danielle Steele novels and the newspaper. Barbara was an Avon saleswoman and also enjoyed crocheting doilies and afghans. She enjoyed talking on the telephone, to all of her family and friends. Barbara kept a clean and tidy house, collected recipes, and made countless pies and cookies. She really enjoyed decorating for Christmas and put her decorations up as early as she could, and always sent out Christmas cards every year. She loved her Lord, and enjoyed attending church every week. Barbara especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and her family.
She is survived by her loving husband, Frank Nordman; two children, Randolph Nordman and Rosella (Lawrence) Smith, all of Wabash, four grandchildren, Kevin Smith of Fort Worth, Texas, Daniel (Karina) Smith of Evans Mills, New York, Steven (Nisha) Smith of League City, Texas, and Kristin (Billy Sickels) Smith of Wabash; three great grandchildren, Noella Smith, Asher Sickels, and Carlisle Sickels, all of Wabash; and two sisters, Phyllis Nordman and Vickie Hall, also both of Wabash. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Genevia Fisher.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, December 19, 2025 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Jay Driskill officiating. Entombment will be in Chapel of Remembrance at Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 6-8 pm Thursday and 1-2pm Friday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Christ United Methodist Church.
The memorial guest book for Barbara may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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