Barbara Kay Bendure

Date of Death: May 11, 2026

Service Details

Barb wanted to have friends and family join in a positive reflection of her life and legacy, and so you are welcome to join a Celebration at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at Camp Eberhart in Dave’s Pavilion on the Lakefront.

Obituary Notice

Mrs. Barbara Kay (nee: Votrie) Bendure, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully Monday, May 11, 2026 at her home on Corey Lake surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 2, 1942 in Huntington, IN, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Beulah (Meyers) Votrie.

Barb attended schools in the Indiana area where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from Purdue University. Her Home Economics training fostered interests in entertaining, insightful wit, cooking, decorating and artistic talent.

On February 6, 1965 she married the love of her life, Dr. Raymond Lee Bendure, in Huntington, IN.

Ray and Barb eventually found their forever home in Three Rivers, on Corey Lake, in 1998 after having moved internationally and cross-country many times during their life together. Barb loved living on Corey Lake where she was a member of the Corey Lake Association as well as a founding member and a Queen Mother of the Ladies of the Lakes Chapter of the Red Hat Society. Barb loved to teach children and was very active as a substitute teacher; she touched many young lives through her role as president of multiple P.T.A. groups.

Barb’s main love was family, not only being a beloved wife, but also a wonderful mother. Her greatest joy came when her grandchildren arrived. Barb was not only a teacher, a comforter, and a beacon of wisdom to all her family, she relished caring and being an ever-present voice in all of her family’s life.

As the great-great-great-granddaughter of Three Rivers’ first resident, Jacob McInterfer, she developed a keen interest in genealogy and the St. Joseph County Historical Society.

In her later years, Barb loved to work in her garden. A Master Gardener, she made their home on Corey Lake always a thing of beauty, as well as a haven for her many beloved Butterflies which she truly enjoyed. She also helped beautify the gardens at Three Rivers Health, initiating the Atrium Angels volunteers.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents and by one brother-in-law, Dennis Michnal.

Barbara leaves to cherish her loving memory, beloved husband Raymond Lee Bendure; two sons, Richard Allen (Natalie) Bendure, and Ronald William (Karyn) Bendure; her beloved grandchildren Riley, Royce, Rett, Ristin, Rya, and Rayne Bendure. One very special sister, Nancy Sue and her daughter, Laurie (Jason) Peck.

Additional Information

Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to Beacon Three Rivers Hospital Hospice.

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