Barbara Joan (McDonald) Leatherman

Barbara Joan Leatherman, 75, of Albion, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on April 27, 1950, at Luckey Hospital, in Wolf Lake, Indiana, to Darold McDonald and Elizabeth (Raubert) Peterson. Barbara attended Trinity United Methodist Church, in Albion, Indiana.

Barbara graduated from West Noble High School in 1968. She worked in education starting at Trinity Nursery School, then at Central Noble Middle and High School as a library assistant. A degree in Elementary Education was earned at Indiana University. She began working at Shipshewana Elementary as a teacher’s aide, then secured a job as a second-grade teacher. After Meadowview Elementary was built, she moved there to teach second grade and remained there until she married Keith Leatherman, on June 10, 2006.

After retirement Barb and Keith traveled during the winter months to Arizona, Florida, and they enjoyed several trips to Colorado. She worked for her husband’s company, Monarch Development. She and Keith formed KBL Properties and built apartments and fixed several homes in Albion. Barbara loved spending time with the Lord, her husband, and her family. She especially loved watching her grandchildren play sports and race cars. Her hobbies included antiquing, planting flowers and going on adventures with Keith and her beloved dogs, Chip and Daisy. 

Barbara is survived by her husband Keith; children Derek (Sandra) Lough, of Albion, Sarah (Rodney) Paris, of Albion, Jack (Tina) Lough, of Albion; step-children Ron Leatherman, of Albion, Lori Leatherman, of Albion; grandchildren Emelia Paris, Rylee Paris, Logan (Bayley) Paris, Mariah Paris, Ruger Lough, Kara (Mike) Patrick, Ashlyn (Lucas) Pant, Erica Fields; step-grandchildren, Taylor Leatherman and Brett Leatherman; great-grandchildren Alaina Ritchie, Marshall Patrick, Kamden Patrick, Mylee Pant, Cooper Paris; brother Frank McDonald and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Darold and Elizabeth, grandparents Frank and Amelia Raubert and Monroe and Minnie McDonald, and brother Martin McDonald.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-6:00 pm, Monday, April 6, 2026, at Harper Funeral Homes, Albion Chapel, 771 Trail Ridge Road, Albion. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the funeral home. Pastor Bret Frymier will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, in Albion. Donations in memory of Barbara may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, or to the Humane Society of Noble County.

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