Barbara Elaine (Shaffer) Sweet

Barbara Elaine Sweet (Shaffer), age 92, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on December 20, 1928 to the late Glenn and Crystal Shaffer.

She married Richard Leroy Sweet who preceded her in passing on February 15, 1984. She was a Sunday school teacher, she enjoyed working in the nursery, and she was employed as a licensed Practical Nurse at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She worked on the pediatric floor and loved children. She also spent time in the cardiac intensive care unit. Barbara had a kind soul and loved helping others. She remained employed at Borgess Hospital for 30+ years. She raised her children as a military wife living in many different areas including Okinawa, France, and many US states. She enjoyed her family most of all, having countless summer BBQ's playing in her pool with her kids and grandkids. She was proud to have taken her grandsons on a trip to Florida in her RV. She also spent many Friday nights having slumber parties with her granddaughters, eating popcorn and watching Disney movies. She was a loving and strong matriarch of her family who taught all of them the meaning of unconditional love. She will be dearly missed by many.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Sweet; son, Richard Sweet Jr; and grandchildren: Darrell Swinehart, Jason Sweet.

She is survived by her children: Rick Sweet, Diane Swinehart, Debbie Cook, Delores (John) Thompson, Susan (Rodney) Leversee and James (Shari) Sweet; grandchildren: Tammy, Hope, Jay, Billy, Angel, Rick Jr., Kenny, Heather, Melissa, Steven, Lisa, Jakob, Jessica, Angie, Ryan, Aaron, James Michael, Amanda as well as several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Glenn (Pat) Shaffer, nephews: Roger and Glenn, and niece Donna.

A funeral service for Barbara will take place at 12:30 PM on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00-12:30. A graveside service will take place at Grand Prairie Cemetery following the funeral at 2:00 PM.

Barbara's family extends the invitation to join a luncheon after the graveside service at 3:00pm at First Freewill Baptist Church, 630 Moline Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.

Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Barbara to the American Alzheimer's Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Please visit her online guest book to leave a condolence, personal message or memory of her at https://www.langelands.com