Barbara J. Tyler

Barbara Jeanne Tyler, 79, was born on January 18, 1947, in Peabody, Kansas, to Theo and Gilbert Manka. She passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri.

Barbara grew up and attended school in Newton, Kansas. In 1964, she married her first husband, Lawrence “Larry” M. Crandall Jr., and together they welcomed two children, Annette Sue and Tracy Lyne. After retiring from Hesston Corporation in 1983, Barbara and Larry followed a shared dream of owning a restaurant in Kimberling City, Missouri. Later, as Larry’s health declined, they returned to Kansas to be closer to family. Larry passed away in 1990.

In 1991, while visiting her daughter Annette in Missouri, Barbara met Charles “Chuck” Tyler. The two were married in 1992 and shared many years together until Chuck’s passing in 2019. Barbara found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. She had a special talent for cross-stitching and lovingly created more than 20 handmade Christmas stockings for family and friends—treasured keepsakes that will continue to bring comfort for years to come.

She was actively involved in TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) with her local Texas chapter, where she held the title of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) for many years and served faithfully as a weight recorder. Through TOPS, she formed lifelong friendships that meant a great deal to her.

Barbara enjoyed spending time on her laptop, playing solitaire and other games, and above all, cherished the moments spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2020, Barbara moved in with her daughter Annette and her husband Rob, where she remained surrounded by love and family until her passing.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Eileen Wonders of Newton, KS, daughter, Annette Griffin (Rob) of Nixa, Mo; stepson Larry Tyler (Pat) of Spirit Lake, Idaho, her grandchildren, Nicholas Griffin (Bayli) of Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. and Tori Crandall of Nixa, Mo; and her five great-grandchildren, Ainsley, Kolton, Maverick, Presley, and Baylor. And many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Lawrence M. Crandall Jr. and Charles Tyler; her parents, Theo and Gilbert Manka; her siblings, Nancy Keasey and Theodore Stutzman; her son, Tracy Crandall; step son Robert Tyler and her grandson, Eric Mertes.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Hillside Cemetery in Sedgwick, Kansas.