Barbara Joan Jurek, 91, of South Bend, Indiana passed away at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2024, in Trailpoint Village. Barbara was born on August 30, 1932 in South Bend, Indiana to John Albert and Luella Geneva (Bargeron) VanVynckt. She started to work for Indiana Bell in 1950 in Operator Services. Barbara retired from Ameritech in 1994 after 36 years of service. On May 9, 1953, in St. Monica Church, Mishawaka, Indiana she married John R. Jurek, Sr. who preceded her in death on November 5, 2016. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Marie Turnock and Catherine Jurek; two sisters, Mary Gaza DeVolder and Elinor VanVynckt; and four brothers, Charles, Gene, John and Robert VanVynckt. Barabara is survived by her daughter, Victoria Chidister of South Bend, Indiana; five sons, John Jurek, Jr. of Osceola, Indiana, Dan Jurek of Mishawaka, Indiana, Michael Jurek of South Bend, Indiana, David (Dawn) Jurek of South Bend, Indiana and Steven (Eileen) Jurek of Indianapolis, Indiana; one son-in-law, Don Turnock of Eureka Springs, Arkansas; ten grandchildren, Jennifer (Chad) Litzman of Texas, Heather (Devon) Mastrin of Texas, John J. (Lisa) Jurek of South Bend, Indiana, William (Melissa) Jurek of Osceola, Indiana, Rebecca (Ryan) Noojin of Granger, Indiana, Jeremy Jurek of Osceola, Indiana, Trevor Chidister of South Bend, Indiana, Sarah (Nathan) Rains of Carmel, Indiana, Veronica (Steve) Jurek of Chicago, Illinois and Adam (Sabrina) Jurek of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 9 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Stuff of Marcellus, Michigan and Irene Marazita of Niles, Michigan; and one brother, Edward VanVynckt of California. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024 in Holy Cross Church. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. Barbara was a 1951 graduate of South Bend Catholic High School. She studied voice for 13 years at the South Bend Conservatory and the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago under the tutelage of Maria Hussa. Barbara had a beautiful voice and sang in many concerts in the area and in many musicals at St. Patrick's Park. She loved to sing Opera. Barbara was a charter member of the South Bend Symphonic Choir and sang for 20 years, appearing in many Operas, Musicals and Concerts in the South Bend area. She also sang in several church choirs in the area and Cantored in several Catholic Churches. Barbara was a member of Holy Cross Parish and Altar Rosary Society; and the Knights of Columbus Wives. She was a past president of the Telephone Pioneers of American and had been the Administrator of the organization since 1989. Memorial Contributions should be directed to Holy Cross Church or The Hospice Foundation. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com.

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