Submitted by: Dan Rich

Barbara N. Mathias

Nov. 25, 1929 - Nov. 18, 2007

South Bend Tribune 11/25/2007
SOUTH BEND - Barbara N. (Borntrager) Mathias, 77, of Garwood Court, died Sunday afternoon in Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 25, 1929, in Muncie, IN, to Jesse and Lillian (Parsons) Nixon, who preceded her in death, along with her first husband, Donald Borntrager; daughter, Jody Cenkush; and late husband, Billie J. Mathias. Barbara is survived by two daughters, Julie (Geoff) Oletti of Roswell, GA, and Janet Borntrager of South Bend; and a son, James (Brenda) Borntrager of South Bend. Also surviving are grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Swinford, Jillian and Jamie Cenkush, Abby and A.J. Oletti, Bethanny Brown, Samantha and David Borntrager; and a great-grandson, Owen Swinford. She is also survived by a sister, Joanne (Bob) Baur of Muncie; stepdaughters, Kary DeVall, Terry Renz, and Cindy Asbury; and sisters-in-law, Rita Borntrager, Maxine Fisher, Sarah West and Sue Chamberlin.

Barbara graduated from Ball State University in education and received her Master's degree from Indiana University South Bend. She taught at Marquette Elementary School for over 25 years. Barbara enjoyed wildlife, was an outstanding seamstress, and she and Bill were avid Notre Dame tailgaters for many years. Her talents, generosity, and kind disposition will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The family will conduct Memorial services at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, in the HICKEY Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 17131 Cleveland Road (between Ironwood and Grape Road). The family will receive friends one hour prior in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Potawatomi Zoo.