Mindi Nichole Barhydt

Mindi Nichole Barhydt, age 35 of South Bend, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at Memorial Hospital.  Mindi was born October 20, 1986, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

She is survived by her parents, Kent and Sara (Browning) Barhydt of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, her sister Shaylynn Ruzbasn of Connecticut, her grandmother Joyce Browning of Georgia, her nephew Tyler (Savanna Hardman) Ruzbasn, USMC, and her niece, Kayden Ruzbasn of Connecticut. Surviving as well are her great nieces and nephews, Aubree, Kaiden, Noah, Olivia, Oliver, and Bailey.

One of our greatest joys has been being the parents of Mindi. She was special, a miracle, truly a gift from God. She taught us the meaning of unconditional love, perseverance and trust. She showed us how to survive the various challenges that life brings. She lived her life in a peaceful contentment. Her smile and her laugh were both contagious. She had an inner light that could brighten any room. Her best-known talents included stealing hearts, twirling pens and speaking volumes with her body language.  She loved music and all her pretty bracelets. Mindi’s life was filled with more miracles than obstacles. God shared her with us and against many odds we got to be a part of her life for 35 years.  We’ll miss her and we will all grieve.  But as our hearts heal, we chose to see her in her new body. She’s in heaven and she’s singing at the top of her lungs. As her voice fills the heavens, we can see her dancing and running. So, when the tears fall because we’re missing her, remember that she’s free.  Like a butterfly that has broken free of its cocoon, Mindi has broken free of her earthly body and she has spread her wings and taken flight.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola, with services to follow at 4pm.  Bishop Charles Wiseman of the Ireland Road Church of God will officiate her service.  For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of her service will be broadcast from her webpage on our website, beginning at 4pm (EST).

In lieu of flowers, the Barhydt family requests that memorial donation be given to the Make-A-Wish Foundation through their secure website at www.secure2.wish.org.  To light a virtual candle, share a story about Mindi’s life, or share a message of comfort with her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.