Barbara Martin Vonnegut

Barbara Martin Vonnegut

Barbara Ann Martin Vonnegut, 94, departed on Sunday October 11th 2015. She was born on January 1st, 1921, in Indianapolis, becoming a lifelong resident, except during her college and early teaching years during and after WWII. Her parents, Harry Hood Martin and Marian Allyn Martin Martin, preceded her in death. She was married to Richard Clemens Vonnegut Sr. on May 1, 1948. They were married for 60 years before his death in 2008. Their three children were Martin Hollweg Vonnegut (deceased), Richard Clemens Vonnegut, Jr. (Dianne Lynn From Vonnegut, deceased), and Ann Louise Vonnegut-Frieling (Christopher VonFrieling).

Barbara graduated from Tudor Hall (now Park Tudor), and from the University of Miami in Florida in 1945 with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. During her college years she also attended Butler University, where she not only became a lifelong member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, but began many lifelong friendships. After graduating, she taught school for three years, before becoming a homemaker and raising her family. Interestingly, she taught in Hawaii, travelling to the Islands in 1946 in a camouflaged troop ship. By her return, during the summer of 1947, ships were repainted in commercial colors. She relished swimming, and walking in Indianapolis, and especially along the shores of Lake Michigan at Macatawa and Little Traverse Bay.

She delighted in travelling, whether to Michigan, Williamsburg, other historical parts of the United States, to England, Germany, and other parts of the world. She so enjoyed attending services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and being active in the Altar Guild for many years. Notably, her favorite song was Oh Holy Night. Activities she appreciated were gatherings of family and friends, cooking, golfing, playing the piano, and watching children play. She was a member of many groups, including the Junior League, the Sunset Swimming Club, Woodstock Country Club, and KKG.

She was a devoted daughter, wife, and mother, and will be missed by her family and friends.

The family thanks to the caregivers of Senior Home Companions/SHC, especially Judy Parrish, Susie Dial, Irma Smith, and Judy Campbell. Also, the family extends appreciation to the staff of Marquette.

Services are private.

Please consider sharing a memorial donation for Barbara, to your favorite organization, and/or to:

Park Tudor School
7200 North College Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 415-2700
[email protected]

Butler University
Office of Annual Giving
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208
800-368-6852, ext. 9469
317-940-9469

St Pauls Episcopal Church
6050 North Meridian St. 46208
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 253-1277
www.stpaulsindy.org

Little Traverse Conservancy
3264 Powell Road
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
231.347.0991
fax: 231.347.1276
[email protected]
www.landtrust.org

Arrangements by Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple