BARBARA "BARBIE" LAUDERBACK, age 24, of Portage, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2011 at home after a short but courageous battle with cancer. She was a lifelong area resident. Barbie enjoyed camping, fishing, canoeing, singing karaoke, and sewing. She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially with her son, Kyle. She will be missed dearly.

Barbie is survived by her son, Kyle Lauderback; father, Gerald (Sherri) Lauderback, Sr. of Chesterton; mothers, Kim Bradley and Sherri (Charles) James all of Portage; 4 brothers, Gerald (Amanda) Lauderback, Jr. of Portage, Michael (Shelby) Lewis of LaPorte, Jimmy Rogers of Ohio, Steven Leffert of Portage; 4 sisters, Tonya (Jesse) Gonzales of Lake Station, Emily Rogers, Cassie (Brian) Ginter, and Aleece Leffert all of Portage; grandmothers, Barbara (Jim) Lewis of LaPorte and Sharon Carter of Portage; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William & Hilda Lauderback, Ernest and Geneva Merry and Willy Bradley.

A funeral service for Barbie will be Friday, October 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage with Rev. Jonathan Barley officiating. Cremation will follow. A visitation for Barbie will be Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, (219) 762-3013 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.