Barbara Ann Lane

Barbara was born Feb. 12, 1938 in Oak Park, Ill. Her parents were Ralph and Bea Behn.

Barbara graduated with honors from Proviso High School in Chicago. She graduated from Purdue University in 1960. As a student at Purdue, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She was president on Panhellenic, an organization representing all the sororities on campus. She was inducted into Mortar Board, an organization honoring girls for academic and activity accomplishment. Barb also sang with the Purdue Choraleers in accompaniment with the Purdue Glee Club.

After graduation, Barbara lived in Indianapolis. She worked for L.S. Ayres in charge of promotions for all 12 Ayres stores. She was also a model for Ayres fashion shows and in the L. S. Ayres Tea Room. Barb was an active member of the women’s organization of the Indianapolis Symphony, Indianapolis Day Nursery and the Children’s Museum. She was awarded their Spooner award, given annually to the member that makes the most contribution and improvement to the museum.

In 1980, Barbara married David Lane and moved to Greencastle. She became involved in many Greencastle organizations. She was the executive secretary of the Mental Health Association and started the Clothe-A-Child program, providing clothing for over 100 needy children. Barb was the co-founder of the Greencastle Civic League, a charitable organization dedicated to the beautification and betterment of Greencastle. She was a co-founder of the Putnam County Community Foundation, which funds several scholarships and endows many countywide projects. Barb founded the Putnam County Humane Society and raised all the funds privately to build the animal shelter. She organized Main Street Greencastle and as president raised all the funds for new sidewalks in downtown Greencastle. She was given the State Merchant of the Year award from Indiana Main Street.

She received the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 2001. Gov. Mitch Daniels gave her the Sagamore of the Wabash award, given selectively to citizens of Indiana for their achievements. She was given the Putnam County Citizen of the Year award from the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce for significant contributions to Putnam County.

She was a past president of the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s board. She was also a past member of the Putnam County Fair Board and the Purdue University Extension board.

Barb loved gardening and flowers and she attained an Advanced Master Gardener designation and taught several classes in gardening. Barb worked for Edward Jones Investments at several area offices. She and a partner owned the Rocking Horse children’s clothing store on the square in Greencastle. Later, she and her husband owned the Sears store and the Western Auto store on the east side of the square in Greencastle.

She has two sons, Steve Bogaert (Nancy) and David Bogaert (Jenny); a stepdaughter, Suzy Rudes (Jeff); four grandchildren, Chris, Joey, Joel and Isabel Bogaert; and two step-grandchildren, Hayden and Hunter Rudes.

Memorial service will be Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. at Brick Chapel Church. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until start of service.

Bittles & Hurt Funeral Home has been entrusted with services.