Barbara R. Kailing, age 70 of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, September 18, 2010. She was born June 24, 1940 in LaGrange County, Indiana the daughter of Byron and Ruth (McNall) Dietrich; when Barbara was a little girl her family moved to Coldwater, MI. and later to nearby Reading, MI. Barb graduated from Reading High School in 1957 and then moved to Detroit. She worked for Michigan National Bank for nearly 2 years until she met Norman Kailing. Barb immediately "knew he was the one" and they were married on October 28, 1959 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hillsdale. The young couple moved to Big Rapids to make their home and raise their family. Barbara was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids where she worked as the secretary/bookkeeper for 27 years until retiring in 2002. She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Norman; 6 children, Monica (Martin) Sitts, Kenneth Kailing, Connie (Larry) London, Frank Kailing all of Big Rapids, Lori (Tom) Jaques of Ocean Springs, MS, Anthony (Laurie) Kailing of Hersey; 12 grandchildren; a brother, Elwood Dietrich and a sister Pat (Richard) Clark all of Reading, MI and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Barb was preceded in death by her step-father, Lawrence "Fuzz" Traxler and an infant brother. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 22nd at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids with Father Lam T. Le as Celebrant and Father George Fekete and Father David Gross as Con-Celebrants. Burial will be a Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Big Rapids. The family will greet friends on Tuesday, September 21st at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1009 Marion Ave. from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7: 30 p.m. and the Rosary recited at 7:15 p.m. that evening. Memorial contributions in Barbara's name may be made to the St. Mary's Bell Tower Project.