Barbara Jean Hungerford

Hungerford, Barbara Jean (Koelsch) - age 90 of Linden, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026 at The Oaks at Woodfield in Grand Blanc, Michigan. A Nightingale Tribute by the Nurses Honor Guard of Genesee County and a private family funeral service was held at the Sharp Funeral Homes - Fenton Chapel on Thursday, June 4, 2026 with Pastor Robbie Carns as the officiant. Interment followed at Oakwood Cemetery in Fenton, Michigan. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Barbara to Adopt-A-Pet / Fenton (www.adoptapetfenton.com).

Barbara was born on December 19, 1935 in Standish, Michigan to the late Philip and Elnora (Armstrong) Koelsch. She met Walter Lewis Hungerford while the two attended Central Michigan University (CMU) and they married on August 12, 1961 at the Fenton First Presbyterian Church where she was a member for over 50 years in addition to being both a Deacon and a member of the Stephen's Ministry. Walter passed away on April 21, 2021.

Barbara grew up on a dairy farm on M-61 in Standish, graduated from Standish High School followed by the Hurley Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at Midland Hospital in Pediatrics while going to college at CMU where she graduated with her Bachelor's Degree. While attending CMU, Barbara lived in Robinson Hall where she was the dormitory nurse. She went on to teach Nursing at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan before moving back to the Fenton area and serving as the School Nurse for the Flint Board of Education for 26 years. In 1973 Barbara became the President of the Michigan Association of School Nurses. During her life, she loved animals and was active in supporting animals in the Linden and Fenton communities.

She is survived by a sister, Geraldine Faye Shepard of Lowell; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers and sisters-in-law Kenneth and Erna Koelsch and Harry and Liz Koelsch; sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Donald Bair; and brother-in-law Basil Shepard.

Online condolences and tributes may be shared on Barbara's obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com