Barbara Joan Enders Obituary

Barbara Joan Enders (Phairas), age 97, passed away on August 6th, surrounded by family. Barbara was born on January 28, 1929 to Florence (Flossie) Mchold (Jarvis) in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Barbara was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and graduated in 1947. She played tuba in the junior high band, where they built a special chair for her because she was so small. She played the coronet in the high school band and she passed her love of music on to her six children. They all played in the Benton Harbor symphony and marching bands for many years. She enjoyed listening to them play and sing at family gatherings and at church.

She was a dedicated Christian who passed her faith on to her family. She was an active member of First Assembly of God, where her whole family attended faithfully. She was in the choir, singing alongside her children. She had peace knowing that all her children continue to serve the Lord.

Barbara loved to crochet and cross stitch for all the new babies added to the family over the years and many friends were the recipient of her handmade gifts as well. She was a prolific reader and was never without a book in her hands. She was an excellent cook and baker and she passed along recipes and the love of cooking on to her family. Family parties, gatherings, and holidays were filled with laughter (some inappropriate), impromptu instrumental jam sessions, singing, many shenanigans and delicious and abundant food.

She was called back to work by Michigan Bell Telephone Co when she had five small children in the 1950’s. This enabled her to save enough money to purchase their first television set. Some of her other places of employment were Lakeland Home Care, bus driver for St. Joseph public schools, a driver for the American Cancer Society and Leco Corporation, where she retired in 1990.

Her grandfather, Roman Irving Jarvis, was well known for his involvement in politics and spoke at many political gatherings. He was invited by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to join the Democratic Party.

She is survived by her children, Bump Enders, (Nancy) of St. Joseph, MI, Jody Parry (John) of McBain, MI, Michael Enders (Lori) of St. Joseph, MI, Jeffery Enders (MarySue) of St. Joseph, MI, Timothy Enders (Julie) of Monument, CO and Tamara Hamelink (Mark) of Elm Springs, AR and 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, a great grandson, William Pickett, a grandson, John Adam Enders, III, a special niece (best friend) Virginia (Ginny) Bond, her five siblings, Jack Phairas, Herbert Phairas, Dorothy (Dode) Sparks, Madeline Horton and Marjorie (Brownie) Klug.

A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Ray Clark officiating. Friends may visit with the Family beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, she has asked that donations be made to First Assembly of God, 3084 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to sign Barbara’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.