Barbara Ellen Wolfe, age 76, of Delaware and formerly of Marion, died late Sunday evening, March 20, 2011, at the Riverside Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.
On October 4, 1934, Barbara was born in Marion, Ohio, the daughter of the late Chester and Grace (Powers) Berry. She was raised there and worked at the Isaly’s Ice Cream Shop, and graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1951.
For over thirty years, Barb worked at Ranco in Delaware as a press operator. While there, she found the love of her life, Henry S. Wolfe, and they were married on March 12, 1984, in Mount Gilead. Together they shared over twenty three special years of marriage on their farm in Marengo, in the home he hand crafted for them. He preceded her in death on May 18, 2007.
Having an adventuresome spirit, Barb loved to try new things and was ready to “go any where any time.” For example, later in life Barb decided she wanted to learn to dance, so she took many different kinds of lessons, everything from clogging to belly dancing. She even started going to yoga with her children.
For her family, Barb loved to crochet “huge” blankets, and when she got started “she didn’t know when to stop.”
With a knack for arts and crafts, Barb enjoyed making ceramics and painting them, and she was proud to have won first prize for her blue bird ceramic at the Delaware County fair.
Having a love for animals, Barb boarded horses for many years for her and her children to be able to ride. She also loved the companionship of her many dogs over the years. Most recently, while staying at Willow Brook in Delaware, everyone knew her as a “package deal” as she was always accompanied by her dog “Otis.”
A strong and independent woman, Barb was a hard worker who would “jump right in” to anything and who always kept busy. Nevertheless, her family will remember her best for her laughter, as they always seemed to be laughing together.
Being raised of the Jehovah’s Witness’ faith with her father, Barb was a member of several Jehovah’s Witness congregations over the years.
She will be dearly missed by her four children: Lonnie (Karen) Starcher of Delaware, Becky (Bob) Beebe of Columbus, Dawn (Ken Gray) Pfeiffer of Marion, and Julie Ann Owens of Walhalla, SC; seven grandchildren: Jason (Christal) Dunham, Tony Dunham, Bradley (Kate) Large, Kelsey Dawn Large, Christina Balliett, T.J. Foreman, and Cassie Owens; six great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Chuck Reed of Florida; a special relative, “Aunt” Rose Jackson of Marion; and several nieces, nephews and special friends.
Including her husband and parents, Barbara was preceded in death by two beloved grandchildren: Kevin West and Jacob Pfeiffer; a brother, William Berry; a sister, Bonnie Reed; and by her former husband, Lowell Mayes.
Barbara’s family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 75 W. William St., Delaware. Services honoring her life will also be held there on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with Eric Britenstine officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Barbara’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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