Theodore "Ted" D. Barger

Theodore D. “Ted” Barger, age 66, of New Haven, Indiana passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Golden Years Nursing Home, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Ted was born July 30, 1959, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Truman and Mary Lou (Watters) Barger. He was united in marriage to Cindy Doctor on December 29, 1989, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Ted was a faithful member of Martini Lutheran Church of New Haven and had previously been a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and St. Paul Lutheran Church – Gar Creek in New Haven, Indiana.

He graduated from Norwell High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Purdue University and a master’s of business administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He worked as a software engineer for Navistar for 20 years and earlier in his career was employed by Boeing in Seattle, Washington, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida.

Ted was deeply involved in his children’s lives, coaching baseball and softball as they grew up. While living in Seattle, Washington, he developed a love for sail boating and curling. During his high school years, he participated in every sport available at Norwell, reflecting a lifelong passion for staying active and always on the move. He had a special fondness for John Deere tractors and farming, enjoyed reading and learning, and was rarely content to sit still. Ted had a true heart for children, something his nieces and nephews especially cherished. His faith was central to his life, and he found great joy in singing church hymns.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Barger of New Haven, Indiana; mother, Mary Lou Barger of Bluffton, Indiana; son, Jackson Barger of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughters, Lia Barger and Marissa Barger, both of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brothers, Mike Barger of Craigville, Indiana, and Jim (Mari) Barger of Craigville, Indiana; sister, Cindy Barger White of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and nieces and nephews, Allison Guido, Kelsey Camillo, Daniel Barger, Sarah Towne, and Grant Schneider.

He was preceded in death by his father, Truman Barger, and brother-in-law, Dave White.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, December 22, 2025, at Martini Lutheran Church, New Haven, Indiana, with Rev. Kyle Brown officiating. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery Gardens.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Martini Lutheran Church, located at 333 Moeller Road, New Haven, Indiana, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Preferred memorials are Martini Lutheran Church or Lutheran Social Services for Adoption.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana