Barbara Ann Hornbeck's Obituary
Barbara Ann Hornbeck, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on January 13, 2025.
Born to Joseph and Virginia Shoemaker (Bowers) on May 10, 1933, in Daleville, Indiana, Barbara lived a life full of love, dedication, and adventure.
Barbara graduated with a Bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Ball State University and soon afterwards married Clayton Carlee Hornbeck of Anderson, Indiana, in 1955. Together, they lived in Indiana, Michigan, and California before settling in Dallas, Texas, where they raised their two children, Chip and Christa.
In Dallas, Barbara earned her Master's degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and founded the Springfolk preschool for 2-4-year-olds before joining Richardson ISD as a speech therapist, a role she cherished until her retirement.
After being widowed in 1980, Barbara found love again with her college sweetheart, Charles "Chuck" Messler from Chesterton, Indiana. They married and enjoyed many years of companionship and travel. Barbara and Chuck were devoted members of the First United Methodist Church of Richardson.
Barbara's retirement years were filled with joy and adventure as she traveled the world, visiting Scandinavia, Ireland, and her favorite destination, China. Her love for travel and her zest for life were evident to all who knew her.
Barbara is preceded in death by her first husband, Clayton Hornbeck, and by her second husband, Charles Messler.
Barbara is survived by her son, Joseph "Chip" Hornbeck and his wife Annette; her daughter, Christa Slejko and her husband Rual Smith; her brother, Steven Shoemaker and his wife Toni of Ft. Myers Florida; her nephew, Joe Shoemaker; and her grandchildren, Alyssa Hornbeck, Alaina Hornbeck, Allison Arciniega and her husband Maxx, and Luke Slejko. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Barbara's legacy of love, kindness, and dedication will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
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