Barbara Jean Flegel (Barb), 76, of Perrinton, Michigan unexpectedly left this earth on October 9, 2024.Barb was born on February 14, 1948, to Ruth and Romaine Flegel in Lansing, Michigan. When she was still a young girl, the family moved “home” to Gratiot County. Barb’s youth was filled with fond memories of playing in the creek with her brother, cousins, neighbors, and friends and spending her days with her large extended family.
She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1966 and attended Lansing Business University (now LCC) where she developed her talent with numbers. Her love of cars and knack with numbers lead her early career path to car dealerships in the Lansing area. She spent most of her career at Meridian Township, where she retired in 2008. After retirement, she moved back home to Gratiot County.
Barb was proud of her family heritage and carried the traditions, values and stories of her family with reverence and pride. She was known as the keeper of family history and passed along the stories with detail and care. Barb had a sharp mind and playful sense of humor. She was quick-witted and always ready with a comeback to keep the laughter rolling with a smile and a mischievous glint in her eye. She enjoyed traveling, camping, music, and her annual trips to Arizona to spend time with her long-time best friend, Ellen (Green) Neumann. Barb carried a compassion for animals and treated her pets as cherished members of the family. Her love of animals extended beyond her own pets, and she could be found feeding the local strays, helping find homes for animals in need or watching the deer graze and play in the fields.
In 2019, Barb married her childhood friend, Larry Dean Andrews, whose paths crossed again when they both needed each other the most. They lived their remaining years in Perrington, Michigan.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Andrews (by one day), mother, Ruth (Souden) Flegel, father Romaine Flegel, in spirit, “sister-in-law” Brenda Crooks and many cherished family members. Left behind are her brother, Ron Flegel of Ithaca, Michigan, daughter, Arlene (David) Vincent of Mecosta, Michigan, special uncle, Phillip Flegel of Elsie, Michigan and too numerous to mention special aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews and other extended family members.
Her humor, kindness and spirit will be missed by all that knew her.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the Edgewood Church of God with Pastor Dave Perry Officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 17, from 4-7pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dalis to the Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue in Gratiot County.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.