Barbara Louise Rhea

Barbara (Barb) Louise Stout Rhea, 69, of Muncie, Indiana passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 surrounded by her three children and their spouses. Barbara was born on June 17, 1955 in Muncie, Indiana to Dr. Francis and Mrs. Martha Stout. Barbara grew up as the third of five children in a very social household. Her parents' frequent dinner parties, hosted for local and visiting guests, impressed upon Barbara the importance of community and social connection (and taught her" proper" etiquette, as she would say).
Her youth was full of music on the piano, trips to the lake where her family stayed at "Geno's" cabin, and Sunday car rides. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Muncie and then graduated from Northside High School in 1973. Barbara graduated from Indiana Business College in Muncie with a private secretarial degree and spent the majority of her career as a medical transcriptionist.
When she was 14 years old, she met the love of her life, Leroy (Lee) Rhea, II. Barbara and Lee married in 1976 and 3 years later welcomed twin boys, Leroy (Lee) III and Francis (Gene). Despite receiving routine prenatal care, the obstetrician did not realize that Barbara was pregnant with twins until the delivery day - so, she and Lee were in for quite an unexpected ride as young parents.
A couple of years later, with their two toddlers in tow, Barbara and Lee moved to West Lafayette, Indiana. Barbara supported her family by working evening shifts as a medical transcriptionist while her husband attended Purdue University's School of Pharmacy. During this time, their young family lived in Purdue's married student housing, where they made great friends and many memories. Following their stint in West Lafeyette, Barbara and her family moved back to Muncie where she resided until she passed. Though Barbara would say that the twins "gave me a run for my money", she and Lee decided to have a third child, Angela Teresa, born in 1988. Barbara and Angela became best friends from day one, and they remained such throughout the rest of her life.
Barbara continued her career as a medical transcriptionist, working from home and enjoying being a significant part of her children's and family's lives. She never missed a game, practice, rehearsal, concert, dance recital, gymnastics event, marching band competition, birthday, or graduation (or anything else anyone could think of). Of note, she was always an incredibly positive influence in her children's lives, often waking them up in the morning singing silly songs, much to their dismay. Tragically, her husband, Lee, passed away suddenly in 2002. Despite this unimaginable pain and heartbreak, Barbara was a rock for her family and raised young Angela as a single parent until Angela graduated from Ball State University's School of Nursing.
Barbara, unfortunately, suffered from COPD which severely limited her physical abilities for over 20 years. However, she never let it slow her down and, despite being on oxygen at times, was constantly active. To put it simply, Barbara was a social butterfly. She loved being around people and cherished her large network of friends built over many years. In her later years, she moved to Willow Lake Condominiums and had many cherished friends and neighbors there. When her children and their families visited, they could not go on a walk or sit on the patio without talking to each passerby. Barbara was joined at Willow Lake by her companion, her sweet dog Lucy. Lucy was a steadfast companion for Barbara until her passing earlier this year. Although she lived alone, Barbara had the continued support of many friends and neighbors who were, essentially, extended family.
She enjoyed being part of the Homeowners Association at Willow Lake and loved keeping up with all the local gossip! In 2023, as her COPD became severely disabling, Barbara bravely and gratefully elected to receive a lung transplant. She worked diligently to prepare for this major surgery and battled tirelessly post-transplant to recover. She and her family remain eternally thankful to the organ donor whose gift provided 2 years of additional life to Barbara. She honored that gift by living that life to the fullest. Her transplant journey was not easy, but the team at IU Health was phenomenal in supporting all her needs. She initially had tremendous physical success – even adding bike riding to her list of activities – before she experienced some unavoidable setbacks. Unfortunately, in November 2024 she was diagnosed with a rare transplant related condition similar to cancer. She fought extremely bravely and courageously as the team gave her the best possible care. She spent the last few weeks surrounded by family, including her six beloved grandchildren. Ultimately, she was reunited with her husband, Lee, in heaven after 22 years of being separated.
Barbara is and will continue to be missed greatly and remembered with love by her family and friends. Barbara leaves behind her three children: Lee (Ame) Rhea, Gene (Sarah) Rhea of Durham, NC and Angela (Todd) Boyle of Pendleton, IN; Grandchildren, Helena, Patrick, AnaMae, Isaac, Maddox and Brady. She is also survived by her sisters, Catherine Bianco (Albert) and Mary Alice Stout, and by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and a vast network of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Lee, parents Dr. Francis and Mrs. Martha Stout, and brothers, William and Thomas Stout.
A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory located at 415 E. Washington Street, Muncie from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will take place at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 1200 W. Riverside Avenue, Muncie with Father David Hellman presiding at 1:00 PM. A Private family burial will take place at Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be directed to Indiana Donor Network at https://www.donatelifeindiana.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com