Obituary of Barbara Jean Kelchner

Barbara Jean (Lanphear) (Rybacki) Kelchner, 79, of Vestal NY passed away peacefully into Heaven on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Wilson Memorial Hospital following a brief but courageous battle with leukemia. She was predeceased by her parents Herbert A. and Laura Lanphear, her son Timothy Rybacki and her grandson Jonathan C Rybacki II. She is survived by a brother, Herbert F. Lanphear of Georgia and his children Herbert F. Jr, David, Rhonda and James; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Sandra Rybacki of Carlisle PA; a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and M. Christopher Blair of Kirkwood NY; a son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan C. and Cheryl Rybacki Sr. of Endwell NY; her grandchildren, Christopher, Ashley, Heather and Jonathan C. Rybacki III; her great grandchildren, Aiden, Carter and Connor Rybacki. She attended high school at Binghamton North High School class of 1955. She was the long time branch manager at the former Chemical bank in Binghamton NY, and later a purchasing clerk for United Health Services before her retirement. Besides loving her family dearly, she was a vocal defender of the natural world, and an advocate for animal welfare in particular. She loved her kitties and they brought her much joy and companionship in her retirement years. She was also a passionate Scrabble and word game player and more than a match for anyone. She will be remembered every day and dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. A viewing will be held at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home on 300 E. Main St. in Endicott between 11am - 1pm Thursday July 6th, with a non-denominational service commencing at 1pm. Interment will be at Riverhurst Cemetery in Endicott following the service. This will be followed by a gathering to celebrate her life at the Binghamton Masonic Lodge located at 22 Lewis St in Johnson City. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Barbara's memory may be made to the Wildlife Conservancy or other non-profit animal welfare society.