BARBARA GENTRY RODGERS * 1940 - 2015 
Barbara Jean Gentry Svehla Rodgers, 74, of Apache Junction, Arizona, passed away on April 18, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona surrounded by the love of her husband and four children.

Barbara was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 12, 1940 to Lorraine Kummelehne and Gerald Gentry. Barbara had a loving relationship with her mother and with her grandmother, Louise, who helped to raise her.

Barbara graduated from Fenger High School on Chicago's south-side and shortly after was married and started a family. She had five children, Mary Alice, Susan Marie (died at birth), James Joseph, Robert John, and Kristine Louise. Barbara took a special interest and love for raising her children and was known for taking on the role of "Den Mother" to "Cookie Mother" and everything in between.

Barbara was a survivor of a rare cancer that in 1979 hospitalized her for over four months at a teaching hospital in Illinois. She carried this amazing strength and resiliency throughout her life.

Barbara was also an amazing "people person". She often held positions where she interacted with many people showing her patience, kindness and humor on a daily basis such as the admitting department of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana and as the Office Manager of several Doctor's offices. Shortly after moving to Texas in 1984, she began a position as an Executive Secretary at Rockwell International, a subcontractor to NASA. She was proud of this work and was even able to work at Mission Control during Space Shuttle flights.

Rockwell is where Barbara met her loving second husband, Herman Charles "Chuck" Rodgers. Barbara and Chuck were married on December 28, 1991 in Texas, and they renewed their vows St. George Catholic Church in Apache Junction on Valentine's Day in 2007.

She gave her time and talents to many causes, but most notably after finding out a co-worker's daughter was struggling with Cystic Fibrosis, Barbara organized the inaugural "Bowl for Breath" fundraiser in her area. Calling on many of her friends and co-workers at the time -- in the first year alone, she raised $23,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

After retirement she continued using her friendly and caring personality as the "Sunshine Lady" for Meridian Manor, the community in which she and Chuck lived. In this role she would write cards to those who were sick or in need in the community, as well as, make announcements at community gatherings.

In the last several years, Barbara met Sister Ruth through her participation in The Lady of the Desert Guild at St. George Catholic Church. Barbara and Chuck collected donations of clothing, household items and furniture for Sister Ruth and those in need at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Barbara is preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine, and older brother, Gerald.

Barbara is survived by her husband Chuck, half-brother Michael Chiaro, four children, their respective spouses, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild: daughter Mary Alice Svehla Kerschbaum and husband Todd Kerschbaum of Scottsdale, Arizona and their two children Amy Kerschbaum Hardy and husband Ducan Hardy of Glendale, Arizona and thier son Callum, and Barrett Kerschbaum; son James Joseph Svehla and wife Paula Meyer Svehla of Pearland, Texas and their children Michelle and Matthew and step-son Tony; son Robert John Svehla and his daughters Jordan and Alexandria; daughter Kristine Louise Svehla-Brown and husband Jim Brown of Seattle, Washington and their children Matthew and Charlotte; and step-daughter Kathy Ferency and husband Alex Ferency of Porter Ranch, California and their children Alexander and Ashley.

Barbara was a beautiful wife, mother, and special friend to so many. She will truly be missed by all.