Barbara Jean Stage went home to be with the Lord Saturday, May 28, 2011. Barbara lived every day to the fullest and blessed so many with her presence. She now rests in peace, claiming her angel’s wings…though she was always an angel on Earth.
“There are few friends who make a difference in who we are and what we will be. And you have changed my life. You’ve helped me grow. You mean so much to me…more than you will ever know.” – Toujours Liaison (Always Bonded Together)
Barbara was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, where she shared the word of Jesus Christ with hundreds of children while working in the children’s department for more than forty years. Her good works were honored with the well deserved awards of District Teacher of the Year and Mother of the Year.
Barbara was born to Elmer and Delores Guseman on September 11, 1933 and happily married to Vernon Elwood Stage on September 28, 1952. She and Vernon were blessed with six children including daughters Sharon (Glen) Snider, Becky (Marshall) Boswell, Mary (Quintin) Beatty, and sons Darrell, Doug (Ruth), and Dale (Leslie) all of Marion, Ohio.
Her blessings continued with six step grandchildren and ten grandchildren including Tabitha (Glenn) Lewis of Montgomery, Alabama; Josh, Janelle, Kris (Erica) and Steven (Jessica) Stage, all of Marion, Ohio; Austin Stage of Caledonia, Ohio; Justin and Dustin Stage of Bristow, Oklahoma; Zach (Robin) Beatty of Findlay, Ohio and Andrew Beatty of Marion, Ohio. Her eight grandsons will have the honor of serving as pallbearers.
The joys of her life included numerous nieces and nephews, four step great grandchildren and six great grandsons including Dezmond, Donovan, Dylan and Seth Stage all of Marion, Ohio and Brandon and Nathan Ricker of Montgomery, Alabama.
Barbara is preceded in death by one sister, Mary Meadows, and three brothers: Elmer (Junior), Earl (Frank) and Art Guseman. She is survived by one sister, Eleanor Collins of Hudson, Florida and four brothers: Richard (Dick), Donald and Marion Guseman all of Marion, Ohio and Charles of Colorado.
Though she blessed lives too numerous to count, she cherishes longtime faithful friend Lauranel McQuistion and special friends Ron, Effie, Steve, Kate, Max, Jack, Madeline and Jacque Laipply.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 2 at 10:30 AM at the First Church of the Nazarene, 233 W. Church St., Marion, OH. Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery. Pastor Riley Powell will officiate the service. Calling hours will be held at the church Wednesday, June 1, 2011 from 4 to 8 PM.
Contributions in memory of Barbara may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene. Condolences may be expressed at www.boydbornfuneralhome.com
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