Barbara I. Schumacher

Barbara Irene Schumacher, 83, of Massillon, Ohio, passed away May 3, 2025. Born in Massillon, Ohio, on November 14, 1941, to John and Jeanette Kracker (nee Wheeler), Barb lived most of her life in Massillon, Ohio, with her loving husband David. They were happily married for more than 53 years.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. She is survived by daughters Lisa Swiergosz (Paul) and Sandy Smith (Mark); former son-in-law Todd Bowers; grandchildren Annalise and Audra Bowers, and Alexandra and Andrew Smith; brother John “Bud” Kracker; and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family members who will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her husband David; siblings Jean Reed (Bill), Ann Ketter (Jim), Mary Clark, and Robert Kracker (Monna); and her parents.

She was a 1959 graduate of Washington High School, Massillon, Ohio. Following graduation, Barbara moved to Gahanna, Ohio, where she worked and attended The Ohio State University. In June 1963, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and spent her entire working career as an elementary teacher. Early in her profession, she worked for the Wooster City School District but spent most of her teaching years with the Tuslaw Local School District. As a devoted educator for nearly 30 years, Barbara taught at several schools including the former North Lawrence, Myers and Beech Grove elementary schools. She also was a member of Stanwood Community Church for 60 years.

Barbara embraced life with a caring and compassionate spirit, finding profound joy in many creative pursuits. A devoted lover of music and the arts, she expressed artistic skills through sketching and painting, while also cultivating beauty in and around her home. An avid reader, Barbara possessed an ardent curiosity and a deep appreciation for the world around her. Her talents seemed boundless, and her leisure hours were often filled with piano melodies, beloved books, and creating cherished memories with those she held dear. The countless hours she lovingly dedicated to her daughters and grandchildren were a testament to her generous heart, as she readily shared her unique creative gifts and keen intellect, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM followed immediately by a celebration of life service at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Road NE, Massillon, Ohio.

Special thanks to her home caregivers, the aides and nurses at The Inn at University Village, and the hospice nurses at Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice for all their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s name to the Salvation Army of Massillon, or the Stanwood Community Church.

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