Obituaries

Barbara Grace (Rogers) Kelb

04/04/1934 – 09/22/2024

Barbara Grace (Rogers) Kelb celebrated her 90th birthday with loving family and friends before joining God in heaven. Throughout her home are countless reminders of her cherished family and friends. As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Barbara created magical Christmas memories. Barb’s artistic flair included designing Christmas scenes with carolers, decorating sparkling trees and offering arranged holiday desserts. Another favorite pastime was making 100 reindeer from candy canes. Barb delivered these sweet candy cane reindeer to local businesses, favorite hairdresser, friends and neighbors.

Her special teatimes with treasured grandchildren and friends were regular occurrences. Easter buffets and egg hunts bursting with bunnies, delighted young and old alike.

Every day, Barbara wrote and mailed several cards and letters to boost spirits, to inspire or to celebrate special events. Barb was an avid reader of uplifting books that included Bible verses and religious reminders. In the past two years, Barbara began writing her life story with Way Public Library and her Perrysburg neighbor. An enthusiastic Disney and Snoopy fan, Barb collected and shared stickers, cards and calendars bearing these cartoon images. Frequently, Barb was called “Mickey,” a nickname given at birth when her older brother Tom teased that she looked like Mickey Mouse. As Barbara grew, she was often complimented on her beautiful facial features although the nickname “Mickey” persisted with her approval.

As an artist, Barbara created real life drawings and colorful oil paintings. Painting various seasonal changes was her favorite along with producing historical and story book posters which were hung in school classrooms.

Barbara’s favorite childhood memories included playing paper dolls and visiting the downtown library with her sisters, taking trips to Alabama, and being selected for the “Queen of Hearts” Court at Sylvania Burnham High School.

Just before Barbara graduated from Scott High School, she married her beloved Edward James Kelb, Sr. at St. Michael’s Church (Monroe, Michigan) in 1952. Throughout Barb’s life, she consistently recognized Ed for his accomplishments at the University of Toledo, the Toledo Blade, and his role as Chief Probation Officer in Sylvania, Oregon, and Toledo Municipal Courts.

While busy raising her family, Barbara won several customer service awards during her marketing career at Sears and Roebuck and banking career at Toledo Trust Co. Barbara mentioned that her employment provided her with lifelong friends and “Winnie the Pooh” clothing gifts for grandchildren.

During their 65 years of marriage, Barb and Ed enjoyed travels to Florida, Nevada, Indiana, California, Arizona, Paris, and Germany. In the 1970s, Barbara and Ed built a hilltop cottage on Lime Lake in Hudson Michigan with family and friends. Their Perrysburg East River Rd memories included many cherished family celebrations, a backyard vegetable garden and one-acre woods.

Both of Barbara’s supportive parents are now deceased (Lofton Gilmer Rogers and Mary Kathleen Rogers) along with her beloved siblings, brothers Thomas and James Rogers, sister-in-law, Barbara Gilmore, brothers-in-law, Jack Gilmore and Gus Ziegelhofer, along with youngest sister, Elsie Ziegelhofer. Survivors include loving sister Margaret (Peggy) Kloss, brother-in-law (Donald Kloss), and sister-in-law, Boots Rogers along with cherished, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Barb’s lifelong desire was to be remembered for her deep love of God and family. Her many family members include her two daughters, Jeanne Wright (spouse, Steve) and Karen Acun͂a (spouse, Dennis) along with Barb’s only son, Edward Kelb (spouse, Rita). Beloved grandchildren include Sarah Miller (spouse, Rob), Elizabeth Osten (spouse, Thad), Amelia Teyner (spouse, Louie), Lydia Kleinschmidt (spouse, John), Greg Acun͂a (spouse, Jenna), Christopher Kelb (spouse, Amanda), Ryan Kelb (spouse, Erica), Sierra Hammond (spouse, Kevin). Beloved great grandchildren include Katie Osten, Carson Osten, Luke Miller, Cora Acun͂a, Rowan Teyner, Andrew Kelb, Rosalie Kelb, Kira Hammond, Carter Kelb (predeceased), Weston Kelb, William VanHook, Wyatt Kelb.

Special thanks are extended to the dedicated professionals of ProMedica Flower Hospital, Perrysburg Kingston Rehabilitation, and Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Per request, private services will be held. If desired in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Way Public Library Foundation & Friends, Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg, OH 43551 or 577 Foundation, 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.