Barbara Ann Brown (Sichts) (Murphy)
Barbara Ann Brown (Sichts) (Murphy)
Passed away peacefully to be with our Lord at 4:17 the morning of March 5, 2026, at Granby House.
On Jan 2, 1942 Barbara was the 1st of 3 daughters born to Lorenze & Maxine Brown of Williamsport, IN.
Her sisters, Beverlie Van Leer (Don) Las Vegas, NV., and Betty Williams (Ron) Las Vegas, NV. They all grew up in Williamsport, IN. Where their father, Lorenze Brown had the DeMotte Agency Insurance Co. In Barbara’s younger years she was a cheerleader in High School for the basketball team. She was also involved in and was installed as a Worthy Advisor in Rainbow Girls.
After graduating High School, she attended Indiana Business College in Lafayette, IN. In August of 1960 her mother Maxine (DeMotte) Brown passed away. She took a break then completed her college courses.
Barbara married Ivar Sichts in September of 1961. They had 3 children together. Christine Goade (Mike) Branson, MO., Kathleen Aton (Kenny) Neosho, MO., Michael Sichts (Manda) Carrollton, VA.
They had fun times together with Ivar’s brothers Edward Sichts (Joyce) and Jack Sichts (Donna) both of Attica, IN.
Lorenze Brown married Jean Abel in 1963 and Barbara and her sisters gained twin brothers Bob Abel (Dee) Westfield, IN., and Don Abel (Karen) Columbus, IN.
Barbara and Ivar left Attica & Williamsport for different job opportunities in Marshalltown, IA., Tulsa, Ok., & Joplin, MO.
Barbara worked as a secretary for different companies in these cities. She also worked in outside sales for Sooner Nut & Supply, selling nuts and bolts. Barbara & Ivar eventually divorced in 1981. Ivar preceded her in death in March of 1990.
Barbara has 5 grandchildren, Lauren Sarver (Eric), Candice Hoffmann (Joe), Miles Goade (Tiffany), Mason Goade, Megan Johnston (Travis). 5 great grandchildren with one more on the way. Avery Sarver, Kimber Sarver, Cooper Hoffmann, Mia Goade, Henry Johnston, and another baby Johnston to arrive this year.
Barbara remarried Robert Murphy Jan 2, 1983. She moved several more times. These locations in Illinois, Moline, IL., Geneseo, IL., and Andover, IL, for her husbands job as an Illinois State Trooper. Barbara worked again as a secretary in these locations. They both soon retired and moved to Henderson, NV., then to The Villiges, FL., where she enjoyed golfing with her friends in the Florida sun. They then moved to Summerfield FL., where she loved watching her TV shows! In 2022 she moved to Neosho, MO., to be closer to her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren that live in Missouri. She had lingering movement issues at this time and eventually moved into Spring River Christian Village Joplin, MO., in 2023. She made many friends and was loved by everyone there. After becoming wheelchair bound, she lived at Galena Nursing Center in Galena, KS., for a short time in 2025 and the beginning of 2026. She celebrated her 84th birthday there, with family and new friends. Soon after, with more decline, she needed a skilled nursing facility, and moved to Granby House to be very close to her daughter Kathleen. She enjoyed the people and nursing staff at Granby House! She also loved the dogs that would come and visit her.
Her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes spread over her parents graves.
She was preceded in death by, Maxine Brown, Lorenze Brown, Jean Brown, Don Van Leer, Ivar Sichts, Jack Sichts, Wanda Lou Sichts, Edward Sichts, Joyce Sichts.
There will not be a service. In lieu of gifts or flowers, with her “Great” love for dogs, she would love it if people would donate, (in her name) to: Faithfull Friends Animal Advocates. (This is a No-Kill animal shelter in Neosho, MO. 1128 State Highway 86. Neosho, MO 64850
Services are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO
