Barbara Jane (Hamby) Horner

Barbara Jane Horner, 89, of Converse, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at her home. She was born in Aurora, Missouri on January 21, 1936, the daughter of Herman and Irene Hamby. She graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic School in Marion, Indiana. On May 23, 1957, she married James Emerson Horner of Greentown, Indiana. Together, they were blessed with five children. When not working beside her husband on the family farm, Barbara also drove a school bus during the planting and harvesting seasons. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Her hobbies included genealogy and reading. Barbara was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Peru, Indiana, and the Harrison Township Home Ec Club. In later years, she and Emerson enjoyed traveling the world. They visited 52 countries on 6 continents. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of over 66 years, Emerson Horner; parents Herman and Irene Hamby of Marion, Indiana; brother David Hamby of Peru, Indiana; brother George Hamby of Marion, Indiana; and a grandson David Pedersen of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Barbara is survived by her five children: Pamela (Dean) Pedersen of Frankford, Delaware; Bruce (Traci) Horner of Wabash, Indiana; Brian (Nan) Horner of Greentown, Indiana; Keith (Mandi) Horner of Westfield, Indiana; and Rex (Leslie) Horner of Salem, Alabama. She is also survived by a sister Sue (Hamby) Hevner of Jonesboro, Indiana, and a sister-in-law Joyce Horner of Amboy, Indiana. Barbara is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Barbara will be held at 10:30am, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at St. Charles Catholic Church located at 58 W. 5th Street, Peru, Indiana, with Fr. Kyle Neterer officiating, with interment immediately following at the Converse I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Family and friends will gather for visitation from 4:00pm-7:00pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Laird-Eddy Funeral Home located at 201 N. Main Street, Amboy, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to St. Charles Catholic Church.

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