Barbara Childs

Barbara A. Childs, 82, wife of Charles E. Childs and long-time Gaston businesswoman, died at 4:40 a. m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Muncie Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncie. She had been in declining health after suffering a stroke over six years ago, and had been a patient there for over five years. Mrs. Childs was born at Liberty Center in Wells County on June 9, 1926, a daughter of Alva Manford and Agnes (Markin) Rench. She moved to Gaston with her parents at age nine, and graduated from Gaston High School in 1944. After completing her education, she worked as the administrative assistant to O. W. Storer, president of the former Muncie Banking Company. She was later married in Gaston on September 9, 1945 to Charles Edward Childs of Matthews. The couple spent the first months of their marriage in Columbia, South Carolina, where Mr. Childs was stationed with the U. S. Army. Following his military discharge, the couple returned to Gaston, and have been lifelong residents and leaders of that community. Shortly after returning to Gaston, the couple began working for Barbara's father at the former A. M. Rench & Sons Lumber Company in Gaston. In 1961 they purchased an interest in the firm, and later purchased the entire business in 1983. Together, they operated the Gaston-Rench Lumber Company for over 40 years, retiring in 1989. In addition to her family and business concerns, her life was marked by the love and support of her local church. She was a member of the Gaston United Methodist Church, and the GGG Church School class. She sang in the church choir for many years, and had served as the Church School secretary. She was also a member of Purity Order of the Eastern Star in Hartford City. The surviving relatives include her husband Charles, to whom she was married for over 63 years; a son and daughter-in-law C. Gregory and Dr. Jeanine Childs of Churubusco; three grandsons C. Andrew (Becca) Childs of Indianapolis, J. Perry Childs of Churubusco, and F. Joel Childs of Huntington; and a sister-in-law Esther Rench of Richmond. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers Eugene Rench, Rex A. Rench, and Robert S. Rench; a sister Dorothy F. Sollars; a brother-in-law Joseph P. Sollars; and a sister-in-law Fanniemae Gronendyke Rench. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Monday, November 17, 2008, at the Gaston United Methodist Church, 107 N. Main Street, in Gaston. The Rev. John Long, pastor of the church, will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2 to 5 p. m., or one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Thompson Cemetery, west of Gaston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Gaston United Methodist Church, 107 N. Main St., Gaston, IN 47342; or the Taylor University Department of Music, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989 Funeral arrangements are being entrusted to the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco.