Barbara "Bobbi" A. (Salzer) MacMillan-Walker

Barbara “Bobbi” A. MacMillan-Walker, 73 of La Porte, Indiana passed away Saturday, July 11, 2020.  Bobbi was born March 1, 1947 in La Porte to Harold and Katherine (Szawara) Salzer.  She had lived most of her life in La Porte, but also in Elkhart, Indiana and Tarrytown, New York. 

Barb was most recently a Guest Relations Representative where she was the switchboard operator & front desk information hostess at the South Bend Clinic in South Bend, Indiana. Prior to this she was the head switchboard operator at Somers Orthopedic in Carmel, New York. Before moving to New York, she spent many years as a machine operator at NISCO in Bremen, Indiana.  She also spent years as a front desk receptionist and inmate state billing agent at Westville Correctional in Westville, Indiana. Before this she was a front desk clerk and auditor at the Holiday Inn in Michigan City, Indiana.  Before that she worked as a line attendant, line supplier, machine operator, quality control auditor and an assistant supervisor for 15 years at American Home Foods in La Porte, Indiana. Finally, her first full-time job was a long-distance telephone operator at General Telephone in La Porte, Indiana.  She also did part-time switchboard jobs for at the once upon a time Rumely Hotel in La Porte and St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.  She always said she had the gift to gab! 

Barb’s first marriage was to Robert Alan MacMillan of New Carlisle, Indiana.  They shared being the proud parents of their son, Gary Alan MacMillan who is her pride and joy.  Thank you Bob for giving me the greatest gift of love ever which is being a parent by the Grace of God. Her second husband was Javier Gonzalez originally from San Miquel Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. The shared many good times and he gave her the wonderful memories of his beautiful country. Thank you Poncho. She remained friends with them both until the end, sharing no hate or animosity to either.  Her third husband was Thomas Bruce Walker of Tarrytown, New York. We were married 14 years and enjoyed a lot of happiness before God called him home.  And to think we met on the internet and he sent a plane ticket to New York and the rest is so they say, history.

Barb was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the First Church of God both in La Porte.  Over the years she attended many different churches with friends.  Each were enlightening but she never gave up her Catholic faith.  Barb was involved in the La Porte High School extra activities from 1981-1985 by organizing fund raisers for the Swing Choir which her son was a member and a chaperone to Orlando where the Swing Choir competed and won a national competition.  She was a former president of the Sacred Heart Rosary Society, the Sacred Heart Liturgy committee and Sacred Heart Polish festival committee. She was on the First Church of God funeral luncheon committee and Women of Worth.  She was a CASA, court appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children in La Porte county. She was a hands-on member of the South Bend Clinic committee for summer picnics and Christmas parties.  She belonged to the Red Hat Society. 

Barb leaves behind her son, Gary Alan (Kimberly Good) MacMillan of Hamlet, Indiana; seven precious grandchildren, Conner Alan MacMillan, Jacob Dean MacMillan, Deanna Marie MacMillan, Jenna Lynn MacMillan, Brayden James MacMillan, twins, Ella Rose & Eryn Lilly MacMillan; a half-sister, Roberta Flatt of La Porte, Indiana; and many friends including, Judy, Sharon and Shelly.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, half-sister, Marcia Fullerton and her beloved pets who shared their unconditional love.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, where a Parish Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Porte.  Reverend Ian Williams will officiate.  Family and friends may gather at 9 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery.

Please share prayers, condolences, and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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