Barbara Jean Heldt (nee Chamberlin), 96, of Dryden, left us for eternal life with Jesus on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, surrounded by loved ones at her home.
She was born September 27, 1924 in Armada, MI, the daughter of the late Charles J. and Margaret E. (Hebblewhite) Chamberlin. She graduated from Armada High School in 1942.
Mom instilled a loving faith of God into each of her children. From an early age, she enjoyed going to church and was active in Bible studies and women’s groups. She will be lovingly remembered for her beautiful iris and peony gardens, her homemade bread and cream puffs, and her gregarious nature and laugh. She was known to be feisty, and marched to the beat of her own drum. In earlier years, you could find her tarring the roof, catching a pike in the creek, or being tortured by her teenagers with loud rock music on school mornings (she never complained about that). She enjoyed trips to Toronto, Canada, The Thomas Edison Inn in Port Huron, MI, and Birch Run Outlets and Frankenmuth, MI with her daughters and granddaughters. She had an extensive collection of owl knickknacks and loved watching geese congregate on her land in Dryden, MI. Owls and geese will always remind us of Mom/Grandma. She was a homemaker and in her later years, worked for Gateway Sanitation Services in Almont, MI as an office assistant.
Besides her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Leslie Heldt, whom she married on December 5, 1959; a brother, the Rev. Charles W. Chamberlin; son-in-law, Albert W. Nascivera; and grandson, Rodney W. Nascivera.
Left to cherish her memory are five children, Carol A. Nascivera of Dryden, Dr. Ronald B. (Cathy) Irwin of Marco Island, FL, Dr. David E. (Dr. Maria Robinson) Irwin of La Jolla, CA, Valerie J. (Dr. Michael) Sulfaro of Saginaw, MI and Martin R. Heldt of Leonard, MI; eight grandchildren, Andrea Kruse, Angela Panduren, Kelly Zazeckis, Todd Irwin, Jonathan Irwin, Robert Heldt, Anthony Sulfaro and Regina Sulfaro; 17 great-grandchildren; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held Monday, December 14 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Almont, MI. Cremation will take place thereafter. Barb’s cremains will then be interred with her husband, Robert, in Meade Cemetery, Omo, MI.
To leave condolences and memories please visit www.MuirBrothers.com
