Barbara Ann (Hixenbaugh) Nichols, seventy-nine died peacefully at home on January 31, 2023, after a courageous battle with several illnesses but a proud cancer survivor.
Barb was born March 18, 1943, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Harry and Alice Hixenbaugh. She was the oldest of ten children. She married Gene Nichols on July 10, 1965.
Barb graduated from Mishawaka High School and remained in the area her whole life. She started her career in the banking industry, working her way to branch manager. Barb was not done after her banking life; she fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She owned and managed with her husband, Gloria Jeans Coffee Stores in Granger, Mishawaka, and Kalamazoo. She also was a part-owner in the Beef-O-Brady's restaurant in Granger. She brought an excellent work ethic in all her endeavors and was well respected by her employees and the community. After retiring from those various business interests, she spent her free time traveling with her husband and volunteering at the Edwardsburg Little League concession stand where she brought her same passion and enthusiasm she learned from her working days.
Barbs biggest achievement though was being a mom to her two daughters and her nine siblings. Having lost her own mother at an early age, she stepped in to help raise her siblings. Barb participated in her daughters' school's activities and served on the PTA and other organizations. She continued this tradition under her new role as Grandma by attending her grandsons numerous sporting events and would often be found in the bleachers cheering them on.
She is survived by her husband, Gene, daughters Michele (Mike) Layher and Sue Mikalian. Her pride and joy were her six grandsons, Jacob, Dylan, Noah, and Brady Layher, Jack, and Sam Mikalian. She would do anything for them and loved them dearly. Also, left to cherish her memory are siblings, Danny Hixenbaugh, Don (Kathie) Hixenbaugh and her sister Jane Hixenbaugh. Brothers-in-law Greg Kizer, Joe Kartley, and Sisters-in-law Peggy Hixenbaugh, Charlene (Bob) Hostetler and several nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bobby and Ron Hixenbaugh, her sisters, Alice Hixenbaugh, Mary Lou Kizer, Debbie Kartley, Patty Kline, and her son-in-law John Mikalian.
A private celebration of life will be held on March 18th with burial services and luncheon to follow. More to come with updates on the websites of Elkhart Cremations Services, www.elkhartcermatation.com and Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, www.chapelhillmemorial.com
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation found at www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org or the Center for Hospice Care of Mishawka.
Barb was born March 18, 1943, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Harry and Alice Hixenbaugh. She was the oldest of ten children. She married Gene Nichols on July 10, 1965.
Barb graduated from Mishawaka High School and remained in the area her whole life. She started her career in the banking industry, working her way to branch manager. Barb was not done after her banking life; she fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She owned and managed with her husband, Gloria Jeans Coffee Stores in Granger, Mishawaka, and Kalamazoo. She also was a part-owner in the Beef-O-Brady's restaurant in Granger. She brought an excellent work ethic in all her endeavors and was well respected by her employees and the community. After retiring from those various business interests, she spent her free time traveling with her husband and volunteering at the Edwardsburg Little League concession stand where she brought her same passion and enthusiasm she learned from her working days.
Barbs biggest achievement though was being a mom to her two daughters and her nine siblings. Having lost her own mother at an early age, she stepped in to help raise her siblings. Barb participated in her daughters' school's activities and served on the PTA and other organizations. She continued this tradition under her new role as Grandma by attending her grandsons numerous sporting events and would often be found in the bleachers cheering them on.
She is survived by her husband, Gene, daughters Michele (Mike) Layher and Sue Mikalian. Her pride and joy were her six grandsons, Jacob, Dylan, Noah, and Brady Layher, Jack, and Sam Mikalian. She would do anything for them and loved them dearly. Also, left to cherish her memory are siblings, Danny Hixenbaugh, Don (Kathie) Hixenbaugh and her sister Jane Hixenbaugh. Brothers-in-law Greg Kizer, Joe Kartley, and Sisters-in-law Peggy Hixenbaugh, Charlene (Bob) Hostetler and several nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bobby and Ron Hixenbaugh, her sisters, Alice Hixenbaugh, Mary Lou Kizer, Debbie Kartley, Patty Kline, and her son-in-law John Mikalian.
A private celebration of life will be held on March 18th with burial services and luncheon to follow. More to come with updates on the websites of Elkhart Cremations Services, www.elkhartcermatation.com and Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, www.chapelhillmemorial.com
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation found at www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org or the Center for Hospice Care of Mishawka.
Barbara Ann (Hixenbaugh) Nichols, seventy-nine died peacefully at home on January 31, 2023, after a courageous battle with several illnesses but a proud cancer survivor.
Barb was born March 18, 1943, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Harry and Alice Hixenbaugh. She was the oldest of ten children. She married Gene Nichols on July 10, 1965.
Barb graduated from Mishawaka High School and remained in the area her whole life. She started her career in the banking industry, working her way to branch manager. Barb was not done after her banking life; she fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She owned and managed with her husband, Gloria Jeans Coffee Stores in Granger, Mishawaka, and Kalamazoo. She also was a part-owner in the Beef-O-Brady's restaurant in Granger. She brought an excellent work ethic in all her endeavors and was well respected by her employees and the community. After retiring from those various business interests, she spent her free time traveling with her husband and volunteering at the Edwardsburg Little League concession stand where she brought her same passion and enthusiasm she learned from her working days.
Barbs biggest achievement though was being a mom to her two daughters and her nine siblings. Having lost her own mother at an early age, she stepped in to help raise her siblings. Barb participated in her daughters' school's activities and served on the PTA and other organizations. She continued this tradition under her new role as Grandma by attending her grandsons numerous sporting events and would often be found in the bleachers cheering them on.
She is survived by her husband, Gene, daughters Michele (Mike) Layher and Sue Mikalian. Her pride and joy were her six grandsons, Jacob, Dylan, Noah, and Brady Layher, Jack, and Sam Mikalian. She would do anything for them and loved them dearly. Also, left to cherish her memory are siblings, Danny Hixenbaugh, Don (Kathie) Hixenbaugh and her sister Jane Hixenbaugh. Brothers-in-law Greg Kizer, Joe Kartley, and Sisters-in-law Peggy Hixenbaugh, Charlene (Bob) Hostetler and several nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bobby and Ron Hixenbaugh, her sisters, Alice Hixenbaugh, Mary Lou Kizer, Debbie Kartley, Patty Kline, and her son-in-law John Mikalian.
A private celebration of life will be held on March 18th with burial services and luncheon to follow. More to come with updates on the websites of Elkhart Cremations Services, www.elkhartcermatation.com and Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, www.chapelhillmemorial.com
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation found at www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org or the Center for Hospice Care of Mishawka.
Barb was born March 18, 1943, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Harry and Alice Hixenbaugh. She was the oldest of ten children. She married Gene Nichols on July 10, 1965.
Barb graduated from Mishawaka High School and remained in the area her whole life. She started her career in the banking industry, working her way to branch manager. Barb was not done after her banking life; she fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She owned and managed with her husband, Gloria Jeans Coffee Stores in Granger, Mishawaka, and Kalamazoo. She also was a part-owner in the Beef-O-Brady's restaurant in Granger. She brought an excellent work ethic in all her endeavors and was well respected by her employees and the community. After retiring from those various business interests, she spent her free time traveling with her husband and volunteering at the Edwardsburg Little League concession stand where she brought her same passion and enthusiasm she learned from her working days.
Barbs biggest achievement though was being a mom to her two daughters and her nine siblings. Having lost her own mother at an early age, she stepped in to help raise her siblings. Barb participated in her daughters' school's activities and served on the PTA and other organizations. She continued this tradition under her new role as Grandma by attending her grandsons numerous sporting events and would often be found in the bleachers cheering them on.
She is survived by her husband, Gene, daughters Michele (Mike) Layher and Sue Mikalian. Her pride and joy were her six grandsons, Jacob, Dylan, Noah, and Brady Layher, Jack, and Sam Mikalian. She would do anything for them and loved them dearly. Also, left to cherish her memory are siblings, Danny Hixenbaugh, Don (Kathie) Hixenbaugh and her sister Jane Hixenbaugh. Brothers-in-law Greg Kizer, Joe Kartley, and Sisters-in-law Peggy Hixenbaugh, Charlene (Bob) Hostetler and several nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bobby and Ron Hixenbaugh, her sisters, Alice Hixenbaugh, Mary Lou Kizer, Debbie Kartley, Patty Kline, and her son-in-law John Mikalian.
A private celebration of life will be held on March 18th with burial services and luncheon to follow. More to come with updates on the websites of Elkhart Cremations Services, www.elkhartcermatation.com and Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, www.chapelhillmemorial.com
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation found at www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org or the Center for Hospice Care of Mishawka.
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