Barbara Eidson

Barbara Eidson, 87, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2024 with her husband and long-time friend beside her.
She was born July 11, 1937, the daughter of Kenneth and Virginia Absher of Marion, Illinois
In high school Barb was a varsity cheerleader for three years, a finalist for the Miss Marion title, an accomplished singer, and co-valedictorian of her graduating class. Barb then attended Southern Illinois University where she majored in Music Education, sang in campus musicals, served as president of the local chapter of Sigma Kappa, won second place in the all-university ROTC Ball Queen contest, and was recognized as a campus leader when she was initiated into the university's Sphinx Club. She married William Eidson in September of 1958 just before her senior year in college. She and Bill graduated together in the summer of 1959, Barb with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Bill with a Master's Degree in History.
Barb then spent the next several years working full and part-time helping to put her husband through graduate programs. She taught middle school music for three years in Louisville, Kentucky, and worked in secretarial positions for a few more years in Nashville, Tennessee. Barb, Bill and their three-year old daughter (Melissa) moved to Muncie in 1966 when Bill joined the faculty of Ball State University. The family immediately became active in the First Baptist Church of Muncie, and Barb finally was able to be a stay-at-home mother to her daughter and two sons (Robert and Shannon) born in the next few years.
Barb loved being a homemaker and raising her children, but she soon reached for more. She rather quickly earned a Master's Degree in Music from Ball State University, and in 1969 she volunteered to direct her first choral group at First Baptist; a choir for children in grades 1-3. She eventually became the interim music director and that lead to her being employed fifteen years as the full-time director of music. In that position she amazed people by her willingness and ability to direct seven different musical groups. There were two children's choirs, the "Good News Singers" for teenagers, a college and career group, the sanctuary choir, and two handbell groups-with one for senior adults only. Therein lay one of Barb's major strengths: she could relate well to all age groups. She especially had an impact on the teenagers in the Good News Singers. Now in their fifties and sixties, they recently sent birthday greetings to Barb. In these cards they wrote: "You were the best choir director there ever was"; "You are dearly loved"; "You are a beautiful lady"; "You were my role model"; I will forever be grateful for the influence you had on me"; and You showed us God's love every day."
All that she did was remarkable, but it was her personality that was most impressive. People often talked about her beautiful singing voice and her smile could light up a room. A long-time housekeeper at Ball Memorial Hospital, after cleaning Barb's room for a week, declared that she had the best smile in the entire hospital. Along with her smile were her ever-present positive attitude and a genuine concern for others. She never considered herself better than others and when on the rare occasions her husband showed signs of seeing himself superior to others, she quietly but firmly put him in his place. Barb was admired and respected, but the word that best describes people's feelings towards her was "love". She was loved by those who knew her well.
Barb served as board president of Christian Ministries of Delaware County and was a founder and long-time committee member of Christian Ministries' Thanksgiving. As she approached retirement Barb was the accompanist for the Wilson Middle School choir as well as the accompanist for the "Distaffs", a woman's choral group.
Although she never lost her smile or her love of singing, Barb suffered with dementia the last few years of her life and resided the last two years at Lincolnshire Place, a beautiful memory care facility in Muncie. The family wishes to thank the staff at Lincolnshire for their love and excellent care. Barb was in good hands.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-five years; her three children, Melissa Campbell (Ned), Robert Eidson (Lisa), and Shannon Eidson (Kristen); eight grandchildren, Alexa Stegman (Chris), Kelsey Campbell, Rebekah Scholl (Sam), Sophia Eidson, Dustin Eidson, Miles Eidson, Declan Eidson, and Margot Eidson.
Her funeral will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Muncie. Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery.
Family and friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 309 E. Adams Street, Muncie, Indiana 47305.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.