Barbara Jean (Gould) Hawblitz

Barbara Jean (Gould) Hawblitz, 76, of Battle Creek, went home in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 3, 2013, after a courageous seven year battle with cancer.

Barb was born August 18, 1937, at Community Hospital in Battle Creek to Gaylord Wayne and Esther (Hoffman) Gould. She grew up in Nashville across from Wilcox Cemetery and was a 1956 graduate of Nashville High School. She attended Kellogg Community College, studying court recording. Barb was employed in the Credit and Collection Department at the Kellogg Company for 20 years, retiring in 1994. Her first job was working on the grounds at Wilcox Cemetery. She also worked at the former Neumode Hosiery Shop and the J.C. Penney Store in downtown Battle Creek.

Barbara Jean Gould was united in marriage to Larry V. Hawblitz in Nashville, MI on September 22, 1956. Surviving are Larry, her husband of 57 years; two sons, David (Cathy) Hawblitz of LaVernia, TX and Kevin (Julie) Hawblitz of Madison, AL; three daughters, Cheryl (Chris) Magers of East Leroy, Kim (Roger) Pitzer of Springport and Terrese Stenman of Battle Creek; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, a brother, Wayne (Sherry) Gould of Nashville, three sisters, Betty (James ) Pierce and Beverly (Tom) Oleson all of Nashville, and Loretta (Wayne) Neil of Battle Creek; a brother-in-law, Blair (Leila) Hawblitz of Nashville; a sister-in-law, Ortha Hawblitz Bishop of Battle Creek; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and their families. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Alice Gould Dingman and her great-granddaughter, Baylee Stenman.

Barb was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a volunteer for M.O.P.S. She was the A.B.W.A. 1995 Woman of the Year. Barbara was a volunteer at Bronson Battle Creek, a Campfire Leader, member of the Y Women's Fitness Center, Pennfield Band & Athletic Booster and 24-Hour Bike Challenge Volunteer. She was an avid biker; enjoyed watching her children's and grandchildren's activities, cooking, humming birds, wintering in Florida for many years and cheering for the University of Michigan.

Friends were received by Barbara's family 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home and from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church. Funeral services were officiated by Pastor Tom Townsend at Calvary Baptist Church 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Interment followed at Wilcox Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
The Y Women's Fitness Center, 182 Capital Avenue N.E. Battle Creek, MI 49017
Calvary Baptist Church, 1625 Capital Avenue N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017
or the American Cancer Society, 1400 West Milham Rd., Portage, MI 49024. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.