Barbara Sherow Busche

A Celebration of Life service for Barbara Sherow Busche will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, August 1, 2021 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, on what would have been her and Eugene’s 67^th wedding anniversary. Barbara died peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the age of 92.  Barbara was born on July 19, 1928 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Douglas Taber Sherow and Esther Kellum Sherow.

Barbara was educated at Indianapolis Public Schools #43 and 70, and she graduated from Shortridge High School in 1946.  Barbara then went on the attend Butler University where she joined Pi Beta Phi Sorority.  She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 1950.  Barbara taught first and second grades at School #44 for seven years until her first child was born.  Thereafter, Barbara began her lifelong involvement with her family.

Barbara was deeply committed to her family, including her husband, Eugene M. Busche whom she married on August 1, 1954.  He predeceased her on January 12, 2019.  Other family includes son, David (Tina Sibbitt, deceased 1998), grandchildren, Caleb (Carmel), Patience (Louisville) and Taber (Indianapolis) Busche and great grandson, Kendren Busche; daughter, Sara Cobb (David) and grandchildren Caroline Scott (husband, Kelly) (Fishers, IN), Melissa Cobb (fiancé, Al Brown) (Nashville, TN) and Lewis Cobb (partner, Lilly Kautz) (Denver, CO).  She also is survived by her brother, Douglas K. Sherow (Teresa) and two nieces, Anne Elizabeth Sherow and Amy Kathleen Sherow Bryan.

Barbara’s volunteer commitments were many and modeled her devotion to family.  She was a longtime member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, which she and her family joined in 1959.  She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Pastor Parish Relations Committee and Clergy Search Committee, and she was president of the Carmel High School Parent Teacher Organization.  She also was an active community leader serving Boys Club, Girl Scouts, Crossroads, Methodist Hospital Task Core, and Pi Beta Phi.  She also served her alma mater, Butler University, as a member of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Board.

Among Barbara’s many honors and awards was Butler University’s Alumni Achievement Award. Barbara and her husband Eugene were Diamond donors to United Way.

Upon Eugene’s retirement as Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, Barbara engaged fully in the life of being a grandmother.  Barbara and her husband Eugene assumed full responsibility for raising three of their grandchildren after the death of their daughter-in-law in 1998, a gift of unimaginable grace.

Barbara was known for her kindness, genuine interest in others, loving spirit and willingness to serve.  She was a role model for all who knew her.  Her service to others, including her husband during his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, serve as inspiration to all who knew her.  Her knack of finding common interests endeared her to everyone and earned her many, many friends.  She was always more interested in others than talking about herself.  Even in her final days, she comforted others, provided hope and encouragement and engaged with a bright smile visible even through a mask!

Barbara and Eugene’s family wish to express profound gratitude to the staff of The Barrington of Carmel for their exceptional care and attention.  At every turn, they went the extra mile.  Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.  To accommodate those who are not able to attend the celebration in person, it will be broadcast live.  Please access the program by clicking on Funerals at the following address:    https://www.stlukesumc.com/worship/watch-live