Barbara Jane Arkwood

Barbara Jane Arkwood was born January 13, 1930, in Ocqueoc to Alex and Susan King. She was the baby of the family and was adored by her older sisters Dee, Fern, Arlene and Alice. Barbara was probably the original prototype for the Barbie doll because her sisters treated her like a little doll. Barbara was a beautiful young girl who was full of spunk.

She moved to Pontiac at the age of 13 and got herself a job and took care of herself. She caught the eye of a young man from Millersburg, and Robert Dean and Barbara were wed July 22, 1946. They married young and faced lots of ups and downs. Robert suffered a debilitating injury when he was 37, and Barbara once again went to work. Barbara worked at the circuit control factory in Harbor Springs and then worked and retired from the United Auto Workers. 

Robert and Barbara enjoyed their retirement years in Florida and Georgia. They loved to take long walks on the beach and Robert was known to go for walks in the fields at their farm and bring bouquets of flowers. Robert and Barbara had seven children whom they loved and adored, Gary (Verna), Randy (Linda), Alger (Becky), Brad (Kathy), Julie (the late John Sobeck), Carol (Jeff Badgero) and Robert (Theresa). Family was everything to Barbara. She was blessed with 16 grandchildren. She often said that she hoped to be able to see them graduate and grow up and be married. What a blessing that she was able to see all of her grandchildren into adulthood. She witnessed all of their graduations, several college graduations, weddings, and the joy of being a great-grandma! She had 29 great-grandchildren. Once again Barbara wished to see her great-grandchildren reach milestones and she did! She watched many of them transition into adulthood and some even marry and make her a great-great-grandma! She had three great-great-grandchildren. The day she passed away one of her great-great-granddaughters came to visit! 

She was so happy when she was surrounded by family and she beamed with joy when she had a visit, a phone call, or a card from her family. Family reunions were something that Barbara looked forward to every year. Barbara was an avid crafter and ev

en owned a shop selling her crafts in Onaway for a while. She shared this love of crafting with her grandkids. She often made blankets for all of her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and even her great-greats. At 90 years old she completed blankets for each person in her family! Barbara loved to give gifts and always paid attention to everyone’s favorite color and favorite thing. She loved music and loved to tap her toes, and kick her leg up to any music. Barbara danced her last dance here on Earth, surrounded by her girls April 8 and waltzed right on to heaven to join her ole cowboy, and dance partner Robert.

Funeral services will be held at Chagnon Funeral Home at noon, Saturday, April 13. Barbara’s final resting place will be in Millersburg at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to McLaren Home Care and Hospice. 

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