July 4, 1938 – February 18, 2026
Barbara Ann Millikan, 87, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Sheridan on Wednesday afternoon, February 18, 2026. Born July 4, 1938, in Sheridan, she was the daughter of Lonnie Jefferson “Puss” Singleton and Eva Viola (Smith) Singleton.
She was a 1956 graduate of Sheridan High School.
Barbara was never one to shy away from hard work. Earlier in her career she worked for a variety of different businesses, including Conseco, where she was employed as a file clerk, and Pickett’s 5 & Dime in Sheridan, where she did a little bit of everything, including running the checkout counter. She also worked at the bank for a short time. Her responsibilities at home were her most important jobs of all. Among those responsibilities was helping her husband on the farm. When she married Kent, she knew that farming was going to be a part of their future life together, and Barbara was going to be supportive in whatever way she was able. The fixing of the equipment was left to Kent (who could fix just about anything), but Barbara kept the entire operation running. Her home cooking kept everyone fueled during planting time and harvest season, but her favorite home job was being mom (and later grandma). When the kids were growing up, she loved it when their friends came over to the house. When it became the grandchildren’s turn, everything else took a back seat. Babysitting quickly became her new favorite activity.
Barbara loved cooking and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She also loved to travel, especially with her favorite travel companion, Kent. There was never a bad time to hop on their Honda Goldwing and hit the open road. As the seasons started to cool and the fields were all in, they would follow the warmth south. They’d ride out the winter in Sebring; they loved being snowbirds and always enjoyed seeing their “Florida family” every year. Barbara had a love for people, and meeting new friends during their travels was always something that just kind of happened wherever they went.
If you knew Barbara, you also knew the love and devotion she had for her family and friends and for the community she called home. She’ll also be remembered for her sense of humor. This is the foundation of the legacy she leaves in the hearts of everyone who had the good fortune to know her.
Barbara is survived by two sons, Kevin S. Millikan (Nancy) of Sheridan and Brian Kent Millikan (Lorie) of Sheridan; two daughters, Lynette Millikan-Cunningham of Hagerstown, Md., and Luann Cheryl Colvin (Ronald) of Kokomo; four grandchildren, Terri Holbrook of Hagerstown, Md., Christina Ann Blanding (Justin) of Westfield, Devon Heck (Erin Shockley) of Tipton, and Melissa Miller (Rickey) of Kokomo; six great-grandchildren, Trey Miller, Able Miller, Maverick Miller, Jalen Miller, Nyla Ann Blanding, and Corey Ford; three sisters-in-law, Carol Jane Edwards, Julianne Baldwin, and Sharon Joy Thompson; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie Jefferson “Puss” Singleton and Eva Viola (Smith) Singleton; brother, William Singleton; sister, Alma Berneice Pearson (Ross David); brothers-in-law, Robert Edwards, Arthur Baldwin, and Vern Thompson; sisters-in-law, Sandra Sue Dennis (William) and June Millikan-Cordell (Eugene); by her canine BFF, Pluto; and by her partner in life for 69 years, her husband, Kent Millikan on April 23, 2025. Kent and Barbara were married on January 7, 1965.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan.
Barbara and Kent will be laid to rest at Summit Lawn Cemetery in Westfield at a later date.
To honor Barbara’s love of reading, memorial contributions may be presented to the Sheridan Public Library.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com