Barbara Jane Kaiser

Barbara Jane Kaiser, 93, of Lafayette, formerly of Huntington, passed away at 7:44 pm Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Creasy Springs Health Campus, Lafayette, IN. Barbara was born on January 10, 1930 in Huntington IN, the daughter of Oscar “Mickey” Zeigler and Garnett (Dilley) Zeigler. She graduated from Huntington High School with the class of 1948, earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, and earned her Masters degree in Education from Ball state University. Barbara married Samuel Mark Kaiser on August 3, 1952 in Huntington, IN. He preceded her in death on March 26, 2023. She worked as an Art Teacher for the Huntington County Community School Corporation from 1962 to 1973 and previously worked at The Majestic Company in the office/payroll department. Barbara also worked on special projects with her husband Sam at Art Chemical Products. Barbara was a member of PEO and the Froeble Club. She was also an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she especially enjoyed employing her design and sewing skills creating seasonal banners for the church’s sanctuary. Along with her sewing group friends at the church, she spent many years creating outfits for children being released from Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti. Barbara had songs in her heart, and often made music with her friends and relatives. For 35 years, she was a founding member of the folk music group Back Porch Players. The group played traditional music on mountain dulcimers at festivals around Indiana. Barbara also volunteered as an historical interpreter at the Forks of the Wabash Museum. Art was another constant in Barbara’s life. After her diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease, she made it a practice to make one drawing every morning. Over the ensuing years, Barbara created hundreds of charming, slice-of-life depictions of life at its best. Some of the drawings were included in the children’s book that she wrote. Barbara enjoyed the great outdoors. She spent countless hours with her birding friends in fields, forests, and bogs adding birds to their annual lists. Barbara loved boat rides, pizza, and listening to Prairie Home Companion on sunset cruises with her family. She is survived by her three daughters, Ann Elizabeth (William) Zilinski of Knox, IN, Sue Marie (Glenn) Meiser of Lafayette, IN, Sara Ilene Kaiser of Lafayette, IN; three grandchildren, Phillip Meiser of Pittsburgh PA, Lisa (Mitch) Heavilin of Jacksonville, NC, Janel (Tyler Potthoff) Zilinski of Knox, IN; three great grandchildren, Marshall Heavilin, Raegan Heavilin, and Maisey Potthoff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Mark Kaiser, father, Oscar “Mickey” Kneisley Zeigler, Mother, Garnett Marie Zeigler, and brother, William Dilley Zeigler. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Pastor Donna Enersen officiating. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Huntington. Preferred memorials may be made in memory of Barbara to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750. Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com. Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Barbara Jane Kaiser.

Barbara Jane Kaiser

January 10, 1930 - May 20, 2023