Barbra Vanwagoner

VAN WAGONER, Barbra Jean (Irwin) - age 82 of Holly went to be with our Lord and her precious daughter Karen on November 22, 2015. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be with her daughter, Karen at Evergreen Cemetery.Barb was the last Indian child born August 8, 1933, of a small Cherokee tribe, along a river in Hayti, Missouri to parents Bert and Mary Magdlean (Dunlap) Irwin. Bert brought his family to Flint in 1934 to work in the GM factories and the family moved to holly in September, 1946. A 1952 graduate from Holly High School Barb also married Eugene A. Van Wagoner in September of the same year. At 24 years old, she took residence on Hubble Drive and remained for over 58 years. Barb had many professions: a school bus driver for Holly Schools for 15 years, Oakland County Sheriff Dept as a 911 radio dispatcher for 31 years, Holly Police Dept for 4 years, several years as a part time radio dispatcher, and Fenton Police Dept as a radio dispatcher for 2 years.For retirement, Barb worked at beautifying Groveland Oaks County Parks for 15 years, also as a private gardener for several residences and businesses, as a girl Thursday for her son Ken at the Good Beans Cafe, and as a volunteer for her church. Barb was a member of the First Baptist Church of Holly. Surviving are: two sons, Eugene A. (Robbie) Van Wagoner of IL, Kenneth B. Van Wagoner of Flint; two grandchildren, Samuel (Erin) Van Wagoner, of Clarkston and Sky Marie Van Wagoner of Howell; one great-granddaughter Samantha Pare; three sisters, Lucy (Jim) Lemmon of Idaho, Edith (Lee) Jernigan of Canton, Mary (Elde) McLain of Davision; sister-in-law, Vila Irwin of Flint; brother-in-law Jim Lapham of Holly; several nieces and nephews; daughter-in-law, Christine Scherer of Rochester Hills, great neighbors and friends by the thousands. Preceded in death by: her parents; former husband and father of her children Eugene Van Wagoner, precious daughter, Karen Theresa Van Wagoner (Ken's twin sister); beloved sisters, Theresa Ledbetter and Carol (Jim) Lapham; beloved brothers, Robert Irwin and James (Vila) Irwin. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to; Toys for Tots, or First Baptist Church of Holly in memory of Karen Van Wagoner. A life celebration will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Holly, 15030 N. Holly Road, at 11:00 am with cake and coffee immediately following, then a final interment ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held 9:00 am until time of service at the Church. Please join any or all events as your schedule permits. Online tributes may be shared on the obituary page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Visitation

Saturday, December 12, 2015 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
First Baptist Church of Holly
15030 N. Road Holly 48442, United States