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Obituaries » Barbara L. Strong

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October 28, 1939 - August 23, 2018

A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Monday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 1628 East G Avenue; Parchment. Friends may call on the family on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Kairos Dwelling, c/o the funeral home.

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Age 78, went to be with the Lord, Thursday evening, August 23, 2018, following a short illness. Barbara was born in Kalamazoo on October 28, 1939, the daughter of Stanley and Charity (Sweet) Nowak. On August 30, 1986, she married the love of her life, Alvin P. Strong, who survives her. She worked 28 years at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home and became the first female Supervisor. She will be remembered as a hard-working mother whose first priority was providing for her family. She enjoyed traveling, bowling, golf, fishing, casinos, bingo, and family gatherings. Barbara was all about her family. She was a devout Catholic and served the Lord in many capacities. Besides her husband, she is survived by her children, Dawn Swander of Portage, Deborah (Brad) Needham of Scotts, Diane (Scott) Schneider of Bristol, IN, Donna (Don) Barnes of Marion, IN, Alvin P. Strong Jr. of Portage, Cherine (Harley) Hemmer of Paw Paw, Lorriane (Bob) Smith of Daytona, FL, Susan Strong of Kalamazoo and Bill (Dawn) Rose of Portage; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Marsha Hillyer of Galesburg; brother, Stanley (Mari) Nowak of Portage; a brother in law, Merle Carlson of Portage, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Dennis Johnson; her identical twin sister, Beverly Carlson; sister, Sherry Perrin; brother in law, Frank Perrin, and nephews, Mark and Scott.