Barbara J. Bechtel

Barbara J. Bechtel, 75 of Bristol, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 in her home. She was born October 16, 1938 in Rocky River, Ohio to Joe and Pearl (Taylor) Thompson. She married Harold C. “Hal” Bechtel on January 11, 1958 in Rocky River. He survives along with a daughter, Becky (Bob) Brown of Elkhart, 2 sons, Bob (Lori) Bechtel of Elkhart and Bill (Jodi) Bechtel of Clarksville, TN; 5 grandchildren, Libby Brown, Jason Brown, Jessica (Ryan) Hellman, Amanda Barker and Katelyn Bechtel; 5 great-grandchildren, a sister, Carol Scherer of Ft. Wayne, and brother-in-law, Jerry Bechtel of Palm Bay, FL. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brian Swartzentruber.

Barb was a secretary in the Trust Dept. of First National Bank and then worked as office manager for Elkhart Fibers. She attended First Baptist Church. She served as past president of the Cystic Fibrosis Board in Elkhart and was involved in several women’s groups. She enjoyed tennis, recreational boating, traveling and crafting. She lived for her family.

Visitation for Barb will be Friday, Sept. 26th from 3-7 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart, where services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27th at 10 am. Pastor Phil Byars will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery, Bristol.

Memorials may be given to IU Health, Goshen Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.