Barbara Hardebeck

Barbara J. Hardebeck, 77, of Naples, Florida, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 20, 2026, at her residence.

Born on July 8, 1948, in Lafayette, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Raymond J. Sondgeroth and Maxine R. (née Walter) Sondgeroth. After spending her life in Benton County, Indiana, Barbara and her husband retired to Southwest Florida in 2014.

After graduating from high school, Barbara married the love of her life, John “Paul” Hardebeck and devoted herself to being a wife, mother, and homemaker. In 1983, she returned to the workforce as an office manager at Earl Park’s and Boswell’s grain elevators and later at Newton County REMC. After retirement, Barbara enjoyed accompanying her husband on business trips, cherishing the time they spent together and the places they were able to see.

A devout Catholic, Barbara was a faithful parishioner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Earl Park, Indiana. She and her family attended Mass faithfully there until she later moved to Florida, where she continued to live out her strong and abiding faith.

In Florida, she was a devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She attended daily Mass and served her parish community as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, led the Rosary at daily Mass, cared for the church candles, and enjoyed serving breakfast on Wednesday mornings. Her commitment to her church family was a true reflection of her servant’s heart.

Barbara is survived by her two cherished daughters, Joy A. Jannasch (Scott) of Naples, Florida, and Paula Balensiefer (Eugene) of Tipton, Indiana; her mother, Maxine R. Sondgeroth of Dunnington, Indiana; and her seven siblings, Carol Hay, Joseph Sondgeroth (Romelle), Shirley Hinkle, Dennis Sondgeroth (Cheryl), Kevin Sondgeroth (Margot), and Jennifer Turner. She also leaves behind her five beloved grandchildren, Joseph Balensiefer (Jen), Jacob Balensiefer (Chelsie), Ash Jannasch, Ellen Hernley (Seth), and Cory Jannasch (Katie); and her treasured great-grandchildren, Alice, Simon, Luke, Sadie, and Arthur Balensiefer.

She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond J. Sondgeroth; her two brothers, Ken Sondgeroth, and infant Patrick Sondgeroth; and her husband, John “Paul” Hardebeck, who passed away on March 5, 2015.

Coinciding with the eleventh anniversary of her husband’s passing, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The Rosary will be led at 9:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. A reception with light refreshments will follow in the Nazareth Room of the Pulte Center, and all are welcome to attend. The Mass will be livestreamed and may be viewed at any time at https://sjecc.org/mass-livestream/.

Additional services held at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Saturday, March 7, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Earl Park, Indiana. The Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. (ET) prior to the Mass. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest at Earl Park Catholic Cemetery, beside her husband. A funeral dinner will follow the burial at St John the Baptist Church Hall.

Services have been entrusted to Gerts, Windler & Keller ~ Fowler Chapel | 506 E Main St Fowler, IN 47944 | (765)864-0110 | www.KellerFH.com