Barbara Thompson Obituary

Barbara Ann Thompson

Barbara Ann Thompson, 85, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, surrounded by loving family at home.

She was born Nov. 1, 1937, in Fostoria, to R.O. and Norma Russell.

She is survived by two brothers, Joe (Francis) Russell of Gallipolis and Rudy (Ann) Russell of Citrus Springs, Florida; five children, Jackie Hallock of Rossford, Tom (Joyce) Thompson of Tallmadge, Tony Thompson of Napoleon, Cindy (Eric) Iversen of Lansing, Michigan, and Steve (Kathy) Thompson of Ardmore, Oklahoma; 17 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bradyn Russell; sister, Melba (and Richard) Wice; and great-great-granddaughter, Raziah Ann Reed.

Barbara's childhood in Bloomdale taught her a disciplined work ethic from her family who farmed with milk cows, chickens, and countless other animals. She attended Bloomdale High School (now Elmwood in Wood County). In 1954, she married Dean Thompson (deceased, Dec., 2021), but they divorced in 1976. Her sudden illness of polio in 1956 while pregnant for her third child shaped her future years. She found her faith in God at that time and learned a strict identity of independence as she recuperated in the hospital, living with a mild handicap for the remainder of her life. She was able to afford a college education with the financial benefit of having polio. In 1979, Barbara married Kermit Harmon, but they divorced in 1986.

Barbara obtained a cadet certificate from Bowling Green State University in 1965 which entitled her to teach elementary school full-time after earning two years of college credits. It would take another 10 years to earn her B.S. degree, then continuing to complete her master's degree from St. Francis College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, in 1987. She impacted many elementary students and treasured her teaching colleagues during her 32-year teaching career, five years in Wood County and 25 in Hicksville schools.

Her Christian faith was a testimony of the love of Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Her church membership started in Bloomdale at E.U.B (now United Methodist Church). She transferred her membership as she moved to Defiance in 1970 (Ayersville UMC, then Trinity UMC, then Independence/Florida UMC) and finally to Lansing in 2004 at Christ UMC. Her focus was serving women and children with United Methodist Women's ministry in several capacities such as teacher's helper, song leader, teacher, leader of small group Bible studies, missions, and staff position for Christian Education.

Her final legacy of love in her later years was her relentless ministry to her family and friends, especially to the four generations of children after her. Her hand-written words of insight and wisdom were passed down through faithfully mailing birthday cards for every family member, including life-long friendships and her extended family. She will be forever missed by all.

Barbara's memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at Trinity UMC, Defiance, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Her cremated ashes will then be buried at Knollcrest Cemetery, Arcadia, at 3 p.m.