Barbara A. Zesinger

VANDALIA - Mrs. Barbara Ann Zesinger, 82, of Birch Lake, Vandalia, MI and formerly of South Bend and Granger, IN, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Tuesday after a long bout with Alzheimer's. Barb was born in South Bend on October 28, 1939 to the late Mary G. (Hilderbrand) Miller and the late Phillip Dale Kirkendall. On July 23, 1960 at the Cathedral of St. James Episcopal she married the love of her life, Clarke H. "Bud" Zesinger of Birch Lake, who survives. Bud said he knew "she was the one" on their first date. He was her main caregiver since the start of her illness and, by all accounts, took very good and loving care of his honey. Besides her husband, left to cherish her memory are: a daughter Cynthia "Cindy" (Bill) Rheinhardt of Syracuse, IN; and their children: Spencer Rheinhardt of Lakewood, CO, Malorie (Matias Comina) Rheinhardt of Longmont, CO, and Margot (Austen) Allen of Ft. Collins, CO; a son Bradley "Brad" Zesinger of Vandalia and his children: Zoe Zesinger of Mishawaka, IN, Ian Zesinger of South Bend, IN and Mia Zesinger of Gold Canyon, AZ. Also surviving is a brother Jim (Linda) Lipp of Lakeville, IN and a sister-in-law Carol Z. MacLean of Mishawaka, IN. She was predeceased by a son, Clarke "Buddy" Zesinger, on June 1, 2002. Barb graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend. She was an active and beloved member of the Birch Lake community and was editor of the local "Birch Barker" lake community newspaper for a number of years. She was also a frequent volunteer at her children's school events and activities. Most of all Barb was a loving wife, mother and grandmother that loved to spend time with her family. Visitation with the family will be Monday from 11:00 am -1:00 pm followed by a celebration of her life at 1:00 pm (EST) in the McGann Hay Funerals / Cremations / Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, Granger, IN. Please enter the parking lot off of Cherry Road. The Reverend Canon Anne Wietstock, Deacon at the Cathedral of St. James Episcopal Church will be officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested by the family to the Alzheimer's Association, online at: act.alz.org. To send private condolences, please visit: http://www.mcgannhay.com/condolences.html