Colleen A. Schlabach

Middletown...Colleen A. (Purdue)Schlabach, 52, of Middletown, passed away Wednesday , November 21st, 2012, after losing a four year battle with breast cancer and leukemia. She fought hard and stayed positive through it all. She had a huge group of family and friends that loved her dearly and will miss her greatly.Colleen graduated from Sheandoah High School in 1978 and resided in the Middletown area her whole life. She owned her own cleaning company. She was an avid player with the American Pool Association. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxillary and the American Legion Riders. She was ""the"" leader of the YA-YA Sisterhood and was affectionately called Miss Bossy Pants.She enjoyed riding her motorcycle and having fun with family and friends. She lived life to the fullest and made everyone around her do the same. She would make friends whenever and wherever she was. She never met a person she didn't like. Her laugh made you laugh, her smile made you smile. You just couldn't help but be happy when she was near. The world will be a little dimmer without her. If you were lucky enough to have met her, you know how special she was. She would not want you to be sad for very long but would want you to live life the way she did, with love and happiness.She is survived by her mother: Catherine Purdue, husband: Dennis (Shorty) Schlabach, children: Bridget Purdue and Ian Schlabach; granddaughter and best friend: Trinity Noble; sisters: Mary Cay (Redric) Robertson and Celeste (Stacy Hoyle) Purdue, in-laws: Ginny Hodson, Cathy (Ted) Gray, Sandy (Brad) Hampton, Connie (Tom) Nicholas, Steve (Angela) Clark, plus many aunts, uncles nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her father: Rufus Purdue, Jr., her brother: Curtis Purdue, her maternal grandparents: George and Laura Rice and paternal grandparents: Rufus, Sr. and Melissa Purdue.A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday at 5:00 pm at the Middletown Church of the Nazarene, 698 North 5th, Middletown, IN.Friends may call one hour before the servie at the church.Memorials may be made to the Ballard and Sons Funeral Home, 118 South 5th, Middletown, IN 47356, in her honor to defray final expenses.Online guestbook at: www.ballardandsons.comThe Ballards are honored to celebrate the life of Colleen Purdue Schlabach with family and friends.