Barbara Ellen Cobun, 86, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Morgantownon March 11, 1936 and was the proud daughter of the late Alston Dayton and Goldye Sidwell.
She was the youngest of seven children and is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. She graduated from University High School in 1954. During her high school years, she dated and eventually married the love her life, John R. Cobun, who preceded her in death in 1991. After high school, she began working as a dental assistant in Morgantown. John and Barbara, along with other family members, proudly operated the family business known as WV Paper Inc. Barbara was a natural caregiver and spent most of her life caring for others, including her parents, her husband, her sisters and her granddaughter.
John and Barbara got to travel around the world for business and pleasure, and one of their favorite trips was to Bora Bora, where many memories were made. The beach was her favorite place. She and John made life-long friends when they traveled to Freeport, Bahamas, where they owned a time-share unit and traveled there each February.
Barbara, or as everybody called her ”Grammy,” is survived by her two daughters, Carrie Cobun-Stark and her spouse Matthew Stark, of Morgantown, and Cindy Bardsley and her spouse Kevin Bardsley, of Morgantown; and three grandchildren, Amanda Beth Westbrook, of Morgantown, Carrie’s daughter, who passed in May of 2016, Alex Tennant, 27, of Franklin Ohio, the son of Kevin and Cindy Bardsley and his spouse Amanda Tennant and Ryan Bardsley, 17, of Morgantown, also the son of Kevin and Cindy Bardsley. Barbara’s greatest joy in life was being a caregiver for others.
Barbara had many lifelong friends and enjoyed spending time with them, especially her best friend, Jean Whipkey. Until the day she passed, she kept in touch with many of her classmates from the class of 1954. She will be missed by all of them. Along with spending time with her family and friends, Barbara loved watching WVU sports and rooting for the Mountaineers. She loved bird-watching, gardening and was an avid reader of mysteries. Barbara was a Christian and a Methodist by faith.
Friends may gather at McCulla Funeral Home, from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, and from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Monday with Chaplain Dennis Lusin officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Mon Health Cancer Institute. We wish to thank the doctors, nurses and many other staff who cared for Barbara throughout her courageous battle with cancer. Without all of these wonderful people, Barb could not have received her extra three years of life to spend with family and friends. Every dollar that is donated goes directly to cancer patients that need special financial help.
Donations can be sent to: Mon Health Foundation Angel Fund 1200 JD Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505. In loving memory of Barbara Cobun.
Condolences:
www.McCulla.com
