Barbara J. Welch

Barbara J. (Woolley) Welch, 86, passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, April 27, 2021 at the home of her daughter, Diana and son-in-law, Jack, where she had resided nearly 5 years.

When asked how she would like to be remembered, she replied, “She was loving and sweet and kind.”  Before Alzheimer’s took it away, she was definitely all those things and we will greatly miss her and her sweet smile.

Barbara was born April 13, 1935 to Helen and Gail Woolley Sr., both deceased, in Fort Benjamin Smith, Indiana and grew up in Lima, Ohio.  On June 5, 1954 she married Donald Welch, deceased, whom she met through her father’s orchestra band.

They moved with their daughters, Jennifer and Diana, to Kosciusko, Mississippi in 1968 as Don transferred with Superior Coach to start the computer programming there.  They owned BJ’s Variety Store there, until moving back to Lima in 1978.  Don and Barb moved to Michigan in 1980, where Don worked until he retired.  Barb worked short periods of time as a store clerk, teacher’s aid and KFC clerk, where she worked with her best friend, Janice Comfort.

Barbara loved garage sales, bingo, dice, word search puzzle books, card games and even made some beautiful ceramics in the 80’s.  She sang at church when she was younger with her sister, Beverly, and friend, Janette Gamble.  Later on, she sang with Don and Diana, then finally solo.

She loved to laugh and to make you laugh. If you were in line with her at the store, inevitably she’d make a friend with someone else in line and have them laughing.

Along with her parents and husband, Barbara was predeceased by her infant daughter, Ann Marie; sister, Betty Betts; brother, Gail Woolley Jr.; and grandson, Adam Stoops.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving step-daughter, Cheryl Martin and husband, Tim of Wapakoneta, OH; daughter, Jennifer Stoops and husband, Greg of Niles, MI; daughter Diana Pumfrey and husband, Jack of Toledo, OH; sister, Beverly Sakemiller; sister-in-law, Grace Woolley; 6 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; a multitude of great-grandchildren; and special friend, Janette Gamble.

We wish to thank Ohio Living Home, Health and Hospice for their incredible care, especially her nurse, Julia (best ever!), social worker, Denise, and all her aids, most recently, Selena.  We also thank Memory Lane Care Services for the wonderful adult day care they provided for her in the years she was able to go.  Also, thank you to the Ability Center, Caregiver Support Program and all those who have called, sent cards, texts, messaged or posted with your love and support.

Services will be at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, 920 N. Cable Rd., Lima, Ohio.  Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 4th with the service following at 11:00 a.m., and internment at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3000 Harding Hwy., Lima, OH.  Officiating is Pastor Scott Estep.  The service will be live-streamed on Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home's Facebook page for those unable to attend.

Contributions may be made to Memory Lane Care Services in Toledo, OH or Ohio Living Home, Health and Hospice of Toledo, OH.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima.  Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com .