Barbara Elizabeth Zander, 88, of New Knoxville, Ohio, and formerly of Topeka, Kansas, died 8:05 A.M. Friday, March 4, 2016, at Vancrest Nursing Home in Saint Marys, Ohio.

She was born May 12, 1927, in Brighton, Michigan, the daughter of Jarvis and Esther (Babock) Gage.

She is survived by her children: Fredrick Zander of Topeka, Kansas; R. Allan Zander of Bellevue, Washington; Catherine "Liz" (Peter) Jay of New Knoxville; William Zander of Topeka; Donna (Vincent) Catalano of Tucson, Arizona; Patricia Gross of Cottage Grove, Oregon. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and by two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Philip (Peggy) Gage of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; Roberta Warren of Jackson, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister: Carolyn Vanderslice.

Barbara graduated from New Hudson School in New Hudson, Michigan. She earned her B.S. at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Michigan and earned her M.S. in Reading at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.

She was a retired educator of 35 years, having taught elementary school in Michigan, Fontana, California and for the United School District in Topeka, Kansas.

Private family funeral rites will be held for Ms. Zander.

Condolences may be sent to her family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.

Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, 200 West Spring Street, New Knoxville, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.