Barbara ‘Barb’ Nel FruitBarbara “Barb” Nel Fruit, of Warsaw, passed away at 7:56 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at her residence at the age of 88.
She was born on Sept. 18, 1931, in Wabash, to Rosetta Rebecca Slagel Schaaf and Hueston Schaaf. On June 19, 1949, she was married to Lewis “Lewie” Lee Fruit. They shared 68 years of marriage together before he passed away on Nov. 26, 2017.
Barb was a 1949 graduate of Wabash High School in Wabash. She worked alongside her husband at the family farm in Jackson Township until 1961. In 1965, she moved with her family to Silver Lake. Barb was a familiar face when she worked for Ike’s Antiques and as a bank teller at Lake City Bank in Silver Lake. Barb always kept busy and had also worked for Dr. George Seward in North Manchester. She had spent the last 70 years in Kosciusko County, moving to Warsaw in 1998 where she attended Warsaw Community Church for many years. Barb was a very involved mother and grandmother with a unique flair for decorating. She was a special lady that maintained a close relationship with life-long friends. Barb was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend and will be dearly missed by all.
She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Rick (Sandy) Fruit, Cape Coral, Fla.; daughter, Peg (Greg) Burgher, Warsaw; eight grandchildren: Tiffany (Daniel) Hollett, Warsaw; Brandon Fruit, Fort Wayne; Rachael Fruit, Warsaw; Katie (Jake) Jacquay, Warsaw; Lori (Paul) Chase, Louisville, Ky.; Josh (Robin) Burgher, Lafayette, Calif.; Matt (Julie) Burgher, Newburgh; Ryan (Neena) Burgher, Warsaw; and 21 great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her last sibling, her brother, Peter Schaaf, Leesburg.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lewie Fruit; son, David Fruit, who passed away on May 26, 2019; five sisters: Joanne, Doris, Virginia, Becky, Pat; and her brother, David.
Visitation will be held immediately prior to her service from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Barbara’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Kenneth Miller. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Ulrey Memorial Cemetery in Silver Lake.
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Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196; or to the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Northwest Indiana Office, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545 and would be appreciated by the family.
