Barbara Ann Lane

Barbara was born February 12, 1938 in Oak Park, Illinois. 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 Pan-Hellinic, 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 Woman'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 Foundation, which funds several scholarships and endows many county wide 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 Main Street Indiana.

She received the Distinguished Hoosier award from Governor O'Bannon in 2001. Governor 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 contribution to Putnam County.

She is a past president of the Putnam County Convention Bureau board. Also is a past member of the Putnam County Fair Board and the Purdue University co-operative 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 2 sons, Steve Bogaert (Nancy) and David Bogaert (Jenny) and a step daughter Suzy Rudes (Jeff). Four grandchildren, Chris, Joey, Joel and Isabel Bogaert and 2 step grandchildren, Hayden and Hunter Rudes

Memorial Service will be Saturday March 23rd, 2024 at 1pm at Brick Chapel Church. Visitation will be from 11am until start of service. Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home has been entrusted with services.