Barbara M. (Koleszarik) Poppen

Barbara M. Poppen (nee Koleszarik) 89 of Whiting, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence, Munster. She was the beloved wife of 50 years to the late Donald W. Poppen who passed away July 27, 2007; loving mother of Donald W. “Bopper” (Cathy) Poppen, Jr.; cherished extended family, Neil Adam, Michael (Megan) Adam, Meara, Mila and Maeve; dear sister-in-law of Norma Montgomery, Sharon (Gene) Semple, Robert (Mary) Poppen and Linda Lober; Godchildren, Karen Figler Winter, Steven Pruzin and Kenneth O’Drobinak; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10:30am at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting; a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, with the Rev. Timothy McFarland, C.PP.S., officiating; interment, Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Crown Point; visitation at the funeral home on Friday morning from 9:00am to services. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on-line at www.baranfh.com.

Barbara Poppen was born on December 11, 1934 to John and Irma (Szuch) Koleszarik. A lifelong resident of the Whiting-Robertsdale Community, she was a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School, Class of 1952. She was a member  of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, where she served as a sacristan and Eucharistic Minister, St. John Rosary Society, Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society, Friends of the Whiting Public Library (Board Member) and the St. Margaret Hospital Women’s Auxiliary (Pink Ladies).  She loved to travel, enjoyed music (especially Hawaiian music) and going to Notre Dame, Chicago Cubs and Bears games. A devoted wife and mother, Barbara will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1849 Lincoln Ave., Whiting, IN 46394, would be appreciated. 

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