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Barbara Van Jareo
Barbara Van (Halverson) Jareo, 83, of Mears, died on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Barbara “Barb” Van (Halverson) Jareo was a warm, loving, and generous woman whose life was centered around her family, her community, and helping others. She had a giving heart, a creative spirit, and an energy that kept her always on the go.
Barb was born on November 3, 1942, in Ludington. She graduated from Muskegon High School and after raising a family, returned to school later in life, earning her nursing degree from Mott College in 1985 before earning her bachelor of arts degree in nursing from the University of Michigan in 1995. Nursing became an important part of Barb’s life and career. She began as an emergency department nurse at McLaren Hospital in Flint and later became the hospital’s employee nurse manager, a position she held until her retirement. Her passion for nursing and helping others continued even after her retirement, when she became an adjunct professor at Davenport, teaching nursing courses and sharing her knowledge and experience with future nurses.
On May 20, 1961, Barb married Roger Cross Jareo. Together, they built a life filled with family, friendship, travel, and adventure. Raising three children: Jeffery (Lisa) Jareo, Jeri (Jack) Butler and Jon (Melody) Jareo. Barb took great pride and joy in her eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandchildren on the way.
Barb and Roger shared a love of travel and enjoyed exploring new places and making memories together. Racing was another special part of their family life. Barb loved watching Roger race his dragster and cheering him on, along with their sons and grandchildren as they became involved in racing. Whether at the track or watching NASCAR, she loved the excitement and most of all, being together with her family.
Barb had a natural gift for giving her time and talents to others. A talented ceramic artist and teacher, she loved sharing her creativity and volunteered through ceramic organizations. She devoted 18 years to coordinating Davison Art in the Park, bringing local artists together to share their work with the community. She also organized the Heart & Sole charity walk as well as assisting the Pi Delta Chapter with the Healing Hands Run and Walk. There was always another project, event, class or cause that captured her interest and generosity.
Roger and Barb shared their home in Davison for many years before moving in 2025 to their beloved cottage in Mears. They enjoyed their time there together and the beauty of northern Michigan. Barb later moved to the Oceana County Medical Care Facility, where she received care in the memory care unit.
Barb is survived by: her husband, Roger; her children, Jeffery (Lisa) Jareo, Jeri (Jack) Butler and Jon (Melody) Jareo; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; her sisters, Shirley (Jerry) Graw and Judy Horringa; and many extended family members and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and Gordon Halverson, as well as other beloved family members.
Barb will be remembered for her loving heart, kindness, generosity, and creativity. She gave freely of her time, shared her talents with others and found joy in making a difference in the lives of those around her. Her greatest legacy is the love she gave to her family, the community she served and the many wonderful memories she created along the way.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2026, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N. 72nd Ave, Hart with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at 1 p.m., and a graveside service following the service in Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those wishing to honor Barb’s memory consider making a memorial donation to one of the following organizations, supporting research into causes that are meaningful to her family: Cure Alzheimer’s Fund: https://curealz.org/giving/in-memory/ or Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF): https://www.breakthrought1d.org/ways-to-give/
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements,
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