Sign In
Barbara Siler
The world lost it’s most amazing soul and Heaven gained a brilliant angel Saturday afternoon, as Barbara bravely succumbed to gallbladder cancer at her home surrounded by family . Barbara Lou Henry was born on January 8,1932 to Genevieve Lillian (Beinke) and Virgil Eugene Henry 90 years ago. Though no-one ever believed her age as they constantly complemented her perfect skin…she credited wearing Merle Norman her entire life. In her childhood, she enjoyed tap dancing alongside Theresa Brewer with Eddie Hanf at his studio and roller skating… especially roller dancing. She also loved singing. Especially with her Dad, a member of the Gaylord Quartet, with her church choir and as a soloist. Her Aunt Rita tried to give her piano lessons, but Barbara wasn't big into reading music and didn't like having to play scales and classical pieces when she could play “Boogie Woogie” by ear! Which she did. She also taught herself to play the guitar(most likely assisted by her father who was a professional) Song writing was yet another talent as well as writing poems and right and left games for every occasion. She shared favorite memories of going to the T.V. station to watch the filming of her dad’s T.V. show and how her Grandpa Henry, who never drove, would walk miles just to see her and bring her a bag of candy before church on Sunday. She attended: Westwood Elementary where she met the love of her life “Tom” and where their wedding reception was held 8 years later, and Whitmer High school where she was not only a good student, but very involved in; A Capella Choir, Bowling, Circus, Co-Op. , F.T.A., Glee Club, Masque and Gavel, Panel, Prince of Piece, and Y-Teens. On Sept. 10, 1950 Barbara married Roy Thomas Siler and they had 4 children. The family enjoyed visiting relatives in Tennessee, summer vacations, winter snowmobiling excursions and their backyard pool! In her later years Barb loved taking many bus tours with her good friend Virgie, and on occasion Katie joined them.(They were quite the trio) Barb loved her family and spending as much time with them as possible. hosting all holidays . Celebrating everyone’s birthday with a small party was very important to her. Barb loved spending time with the grandkids, of which she was only blessed with 2 and they were 23 years apart! This allowed her to really focus on each of them as they were growing up. She cheered at every football, baseball and basketball game for her grandson, Mike, from the age of 6 , and led the standing ovations for her granddaughter Bobbi’s musical theater performances, plays, and dance ,voice and piano recitals, talents that were clearly passed on from her Grandmother. Barb even got into the act with 5yr old Bobbi and Kim in The Toledo Rep’s “A Christmas Carol” 2004, and sang and tapped with them on Mother’s Day 2007 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre, reprising her childhood skills. Barbara’s incredible work ethic began showing itself as a teen.She worked at a doctors office and at the West Toledo Harold(even got to put paper in a Gutenberg Press!) Barb did a work co-op in high school as a nurses aid, a career she anticipated pursuing , but changed courses as she got married(though caring for others is what she continued to do for the rest of her life). She was trained in keypunch by Martin Perry in Toledo who relocated shortly after. Barb went up to Detroit to train the new staff and then found herself out of job. While Barb worked for the Toledo Edison she was commended for finding a large error and saving a customer a lot of money and the story about her amazing customer service was put into their monthly magazine . Her hands were also so pretty they were used for one of Edison’s ads. She left the Edison to stay home a bit after the birth of her last child and then rejoined the workforce with a short stint at General Electric. When Barb was sent by a temp service to The Toledo Scale, she put out so much work at The Scale that they paid the temp service to hire her permanently. And she gave them her heart and soul for the next 18 years, until they closed their doors in Toledo. Barb organized the games for the company picnic for years and was a proud member of the Scale’s Quarter Century Club, serving as their president several times. With The Scale closing she made her way to The Toledo Police Department in the data entry department ,learning a whole new way of technology and getting promoted to supervisor. After 25 years at T.P.D. Barb retired at the age of 78! In addition to her beloved Quarter Century Club,Barb was often a room mother to her children’s classrooms. Her creative games, treats and gifts were loved by everyone. When her youngest was in college , she joined AOPi Theta Rose Mother’s Club where she served as president as well. She was a proud member of Samagama Club of Presidents, and Whitmer High School’s class of 1950…”They were unlike any other class… so close…” they stayed in contact all of these years having a reunion and a ladies luncheon every year. Barb will be missed for the amazing way she took care of everyone. She was so sweet, kind and helpful, always. A beautiful person inside and out . Her comedic attempts often left doctors confused, but cracked up the family! (Though we thought she might end up with a lobotomy). She was always ready to play a good game of 3-13, Push, or any Disney game. Barb’s favorite Disney ride was “It’s a Small World” and she collected that memorabilia. She loved all animals, especially dogs, and when she no longer had any of her own she enjoyed spoiling her all of her grand-dogs, being especially close to Yoda and Ava. They brought her such joy. Barb was also a very giving person, not only with her family, but she supported numerous charitable organizations as well. Those for children and Veterans really had her heart. She was proceeded in death by the love of her life Roy Thomas Siler Sr, parents Virgil and Genevieve Henry, brothers Virgil Jr. and Larry Henry. Grandparents; James and Decinra (Decard) Henry and Frank and Rosa (Bailey) Beinke. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends “Virgie” Dlugosielski and “Katie” Callahan. Barbara is survived by her children; Roy Thomas Jr(Diane) Siler of Temperance , Mi., Vickie Linn (Richard) Henninger of Covington, Ga., Cynthia Linn(Chuck Caswell) Siler of Maumee, Oh., and Kimberly Linn(James)Baranek of Holland, Oh. Grand children: Michael Thomas(Sara) Siler and Barbara “Bobbi” Linn Baranek. Great Grand Children: Hayden and Ava Siler, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and very good friends. The Siler family would like to thank Barbara’s doctors; Dr. Kelly Emch, Dr. Fadhil Hussein and Dr John Burchfield, and Pharmacist, Beth Gensler for keeping her with us for so very long and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for letting Mom do it her way! Especially Her nurse Chris and weekend nurse Lysa who was with us at the end, her kindness and compassion were invaluable. Friends will be received at Blanchard-Strabler Funeral Home (3219 Tremainsville at Alexis, 419-269-1111) on Thursday from 4-8 P.M. and on Friday from 2-8 P.M. Services will be conducted on Saturday at 11 A.M. at Trinity Church of the Nazarene (4930 Flanders Rd. Toledo) where friends will be received after 10 A.M.. Entombment, Toledo Memorial Park.January 8, 1932 - July 30, 202201/08/193207/30/2022
Share Obituary:
Barbara Siler
Tribute wall
L
A candle was posted for Barbara Siler.
Loading story for Barbara Siler