Barbara Ellen (Meents) Duncan

Barbara Ellen Duncan was born on November 11, 1931 in White County to the late Gerald and Elsie (Boller) Meents.  She and her siblings shared memories of a happy childhood and antics of their lives growing up on farms in White County.  Barbara graduated from Monticello High School in 1949 and began working at the White County Farm Bureau Co-op, where she met her boss and future husband, Franklin Eugene Duncan.  On January 14, 1951, they were married at the First United Methodist Church in Monticello, Indiana and enjoyed 55 years together.

Barbara cherished her calling as a mother to her “four sweet little girls” who have always known they were blessed.  She was also loved like a mother and grandmother by many young friends and neighbors.  Memories were made as the family relocated to Illinois, Texas, Michigan and Tennessee for Frank’s job but Indiana remained at the center of her heart, as did her parents and siblings.  In addition to yearly trips back home to Indiana, the family enjoyed many camping trips across the country.  Barbara embraced and shared her love of nature and appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation.  In 1972 Barbara and Frank moved to Rensselaer, Indiana, where they lived for 31 years.  They were busy members of the community and Trinity United Methodist Church. Parishioners delighted in Barbara’s famous chocolate cake that she baked for many church gatherings.  Frank and Barbara moved to Whitestown in 2003 to be near their children.  After Frank’s death Barbara lived with her daughter Jill in Zionsville.

Barbara enjoyed working with numbers and held several bookkeeping positions throughout her career.  She served as Administrative Assistant at Rensselaer Schools for 22 years and was responsible for district accounting and student transportation.  It was not unusual to find Barbara working late to make sure all the children made it home safely.

Barbara shared her love easily with the people in her life.  She was a good listener and sent many thoughtfully selected cards to friends and family for all occasions, letting people know they were loved in a special way.  Many experienced Barbara’s caring ways and appreciated her as a treasured friend.  Barbara cherished those friends, her faith, God’s beautiful world, her country, and most of all, her family.  Barbara will be deeply missed, and yet her strong and loving spirit will never be apart from us.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Frank, son-in-law, Steve Neumann, and siblings; Gerald Meents Jr. and wife Margie, Jack Meents and wife Doris, Mary Swartz and husband Kenny and brother-in-law Jerry Dahlenburg.  She is survived by her sister, Shirley Dahlenburg, of Monticello, Indiana.

Barbara is also survived by her daughters Jean (Jeff) Paulus of Midland, Michigan, Jan (Steve) Phillips of Mitchell, Indiana, Joan Duncan of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jill Neumann of Zionsville, Indiana; grandchildren Jennifer (Ben) Semeyn, Leslie (Paul) Flanagan, Jonathan (Lindsay) Paulus, Katie (Jason) Storms, Beth (Tom) Pansino, Lucas Neumann, Zachary Neumann, and Joshua Neumann; and great-grandchildren Gavin and Emma Semeyn, Brelyn and Bella Storms, Faith and Chase Flanagan, Adalyn and Avery Paulus, and Milo Pansino.

Visitation will occur at 1:00 pm at Zionsville United Methodist Church followed by the funeral service at 2 pm.