Barry Schiff

Barry Charles Schiff passed away on Jan. 18, 2026, at the age of 73.

He was born in South Bend, IN, to Philip and Charlotte Schiff on May 23, 1952. On Sept. 3, 2005, in South Bend, he married Cathy Nafe. He was predeceased by his parents and step-mother, Beverly Schiff.

He is survived by his beautiful wife and partner, Cathy. Also surviving are siblings, Joel (Diane) Schiff and Gary (Donna) Schiff; children, Cary (Malina) Schiff, Shelley (Eric) Krall, and Bryan (Sarah) Schiff; step-children, Kelly (Sean) Hogan and Kristy (Chris) Smith; and grandchildren, Dylan Schiff; Sarah and Alex Krall; Cohen, Sawyer, and Dawson Schiff; Karly and Keegan Hogan; and River Smith. He was always respectfully considered “Uncle Buck” to Michael, Jason, Caren, Julie, and David, his surviving nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his first wife Joann Rearick, the mother of his children.

After graduating from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1974 with a B.S. in Business, Barry began a 50-year career in financial management. He started his career as a CPA from 1974 to 1978. His career was highlighted by his 15-year progression to ownership at Gemeinhardt from 1983 to 1998. He began his own financial/ tax consulting business in 1998 and retired in 2024 after working with nearly 100 clients, some through their 3 family generations. With the utmost integrity, he always had a heart for helping people with their finances.

One of Barry’s great hobbies was sports. He was a lifetime sports participant and a dedicated fan. He played baseball/ softball starting in Little League in 1963, at 11 years old, until his last year in senior softball in 2023, at the age of 71. He played organized basketball from fifth grade through the age of 55.

He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Notre Dame, and the Chicago Bears. He attended 46 games of which 19 were away from Wrigley Field, three football Bowl games for the Fighting Irish, and a game in London in 2019 for the Chicago Bears. He also coached many of his children’s athletic teams and faithfully attended most, if not all, of his grandchildren’s band programs and ball games.

His other hobby was going out to eat with loved ones at finer dining establishments, always taking his time to enjoy it. Many fond memories were made around the table. A quote by our dad in his last days was, “You never stop learning, and always be kind to people.”

We want to give a special thanks to Center for Hospice Care and Senior One Care, especially Wendi, who was so kind in caring for Barry.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 22, at 4:00 p.m., in the chapel at the Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery, corner of Jefferson and Calhoun, Mishawaka, IN 46545, with Rabbi Shoshana Feferman officiating. Visitation and Shiva will follow at the Jewish Federation, 3202 Shalom Way South Bend, IN, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Center for Hospice Care.