Barb J. Winely

Barb “Barbie” Winely, 78, a former longtime Galion resident, and more recently a resident of Altercare of Bucyrus, passed peacefully in the loving arms of her daughter on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.



She was born July 31, 1943 on the family farm on Nazor Road in Galion, the second youngest of 12 children to the late Anthony and Marie (Miller) Kohls. Barb enjoyed growing up on the farm and loved being around the animals. She graduated from Galion High School and worked as a supervisor at Peco II for a period before caring for her children as a homemaker.



Friends and family rarely saw Barb without a smile, and she will certainly be remembered for her big heart. She put the needs of anyone ahead of herself and took great joy in seeing others happy. Barb made an incredible lasagna and baked sweets like no other. If you were there for supper, you never left hungry and for the holidays, she loved giving her handmade cookies and candies as gifts.



Barb was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Galion and while at Altercare enjoyed visits from parishioners at Holy Trinity. Over her four plus years at the nursing home, she made friends with many staff and fellow residents. She prided herself in caring for everyone and occasionally took charge as if she ran the place. She enjoyed the companionship of her close friend Arthur Skaggs and they shared meals together, played BINGO as well as other activities and could often be found holding hands while watching TV. In June of 2019 they were named Altercare prom King and Queen.



Throughout life, Barb loved being outside. She went on several walks, bike rides and was up for whatever her family wanted to do. Her door was always open to strangers and she treated everyone as equal, touching a lot of hearts along the way.



She will be deeply missed by her children, Gaylene (Perry) Weber and Bryan (Wendy) Winely; grandchildren, Jenna (Matthew) O’Bryan, Kayla (Justin) Maynard and Michael Lovely; one great granddaughter, Natalie Maynard; close friend, Art Skaggs and siblings, Mary Yetzer, Dorothy Beach, Louise Eitzen, Anne DeNero, Robert (Betty) Kohls and Tom (Pam) Kohls.



Barb was preceded in death by her son Chuckie Winely who died during infancy and siblings, William “Bill” Kohls, Rita Reed, Francis “Pete” Kohls, Betty Studer, and Lawrence Kohls.



At this time, there will be no public services for Barb. Her family specifically request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made payable to Wise Funeral Service to help offset any expenses. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her tribute wall.