Barbara S. Krantz

Barbara S. Krantz

Barbara Sue Krantz, 73, of Bucyrus, passed peacefully on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Altercare of Bucyrus. She struggled with Alzheimer’s disease for several years but Tom, her husband was by her side daily and helped to keep their memories of one another strong.

Barbie was born March 12, 1951 in Kenton, Ohio to the late Dallis P. and Audrey C. (Bloom) Easterday. She attended Bucyrus High School and over her lifetime worked at various locations, including Clancy’s, Murphy Mart, Quick Chek, McDonalds, Hardees and Swan. Though not a paid position, one of her favorite jobs was volunteering at the Bucyrus Community Hospital front desk, assisting folks and pointing them in the right direction. 

On March 7, 1997, she married Tom Krantz and they crammed in countless memories over their 27 years of marriage. She had an ornery side and picked on those she loved. Barbie enjoyed playing BINGO with friends, tending to the flowers around their home, but her main interests were keeping active in the lives of her children and grandchildren through their sporting events and especially her involvement with 4-H, where she served as a teacher and mentor to many learning to ride and handle horses. From a young age, horses were Barbie’s passion and over the years, this passion expanded through their travels across the United States. She and Tom experienced many sites and formed many friendships as they traveled the country, camping and riding their horses. Their main destination was Arizona to meet with their best friends, Bonnie and Tim, but they always met new friends or caught up with folks they’d previously met while on their way. When camping, one of Barbie’s favorite pastimes was cooking over an open fire. She’s made many pizza pies and fruit pies over the years and everyone’s favorite was her biscuits and sausage gravy.

Barbie had formerly attended Bucyrus Nazarene Church, was active in 4-H, a member of the Crawford County Ohio Horse Council, where she served on various seats and she always looked forward to attending the annual Quarter Horse Congress. 

Barbie is survived by husband, Tom; children, Chad (Audrey) Fortner and Michelle (Randy) Owings; stepsons, Eric (Jennifer) Krantz and Jason (Deb) Krantz; grandchildren, Seth, Mallory and Jonah Owings, Cole, Caden and Dylan Fortner and Kyle (Cheyenne) Krantz; brother-in-law, Tom Caskey; sisters-in-law, Fran Easterday and Stella Easterday along with many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Austin Owings; siblings, Julie Harvey, Virginia Caskey, Dallis Easterday and Carl Easterday.

Calling hours will be held from 4 – 7 pm Wednesday, February 5 at Wise Funeral Service, where her funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday with Pastor Ray LaSalle officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

If desired, donations can be made payable to either Crawford County 4-H or the Humane Society Serving Crawford County. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her guestbook at www.wisefuneral.com.