Barbara E. Distelrath

Barbara E. Distelrath, age 87, of Conneaut, passed away on January 9, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was born on February 6, 1938, in New York, New York, the daughter of Raymond Williamson and Virginia Rix. She graduated from Franklin K. High School in 1956 and later from Brooklyn Nursing School. Barbara dedicated more than 64 years to the nursing profession, retiring in October of 2021.

Her nursing career was closely tied to her husband Chuck's military service during their early years. During that time, Barbara worked at hospitals in New York, Connecticut, Buffalo, Norfolk, and Philadelphia. Barbara and Chuck were married on October 19, 1960, and later returned to Conneaut to raise their family Barbara then worked at Brown Memorial Hospital for 20 years, serving as Supervisor and Head Nurse in the Operating Room. She later followed her passion for public health and became a driving force in working with the Amish community, providing education on good health practices while respectfully upholding their values.

She was a devoted member of St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini Corpus Christi Parish. Barbara and Chuck were very active in church life; she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society, worked church fish dinners and festivals, and served on various church committees. She was also a member of the daughters of the American Revolution.

Barbara volunteered at the Brown Memorial Thrift Shop and served as a community health nurse at Conneaut High School. She was the Director of Nursing for the City of Conneaut and Assistant Director of Nursing for the Ashtabula County Health Department.

In her spare time, Barbara was an avid bird watcher and cherished family vacations. She and Chuck enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the New England coast for crab legs and blue crabs and love to travel extensively across the country by train.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chuck Distelrath (2012); and her beloved golden retriever, Charlie.

She is survived by her children:

Denise and John Presgraves of Williamsburg, VA; Kim Kovarik-Distelrath of Willoughby; David and Maryann Distelrath of Zebulon, NC; Trista and Richard Howland of Conneaut; and stepson Chuck and Debbie Distelrath of Wisconsin.

Grandchildren:

Brittany and Tyler Reed, Ian Distelrath, Ryan Distelrath, Megan and Shane Hinson, Kate and Tyler Zagurski, Sydney and Jack Wallin, Bobby and Emily Olyha, Christopher Webster, Andrew Webster, Jennifer Pugh and Justin Brown, Devin Tessmer and Kayla Reck, Jonathan Tessmer and LuCritcia Correia, Alexandria Tessmer and Matthew Schmidt, Samuel Kovarik, Jared Kovarik, Aaron Kovarik, Christina Distelrath-Smith, Chuck Smith and Leah Kahl Smith, Kalab Allen and Jess Fees, Seth and Roselyn Allen.

Great grandchildren:

Brantley Allen and Cecilia Marie Fees, Tyler Pugh, Mila Brown, Landon Tessmer, Charles Tessmer, Evelyn Tessmer, Maxine Tessmer, Liam Tessmer, Wyatt Reed, Asher Kovarik Trinity Prince, Natalie Prince, Chandler Smith, Lincoln Smith, Gwyneth Hinson, Miles Hinson, Magnolia Zagurski, Josette Zagurski, Danny Wallin, Elliet Wallin, and Remy Webster, and numerous other nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Raisian Funeral Home, 581 Harbor Street, Conneaut.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 744 Mill Street, Conneaut, with Fr. Philip Miller of Corpus Christi Parish officiating. After service a luncheon will be held in her honor in the Cabrini Hall.

Memorial contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the Brown Memorial Hospital Thrift Shop: Medical Scholarship Program, or: American Legion Cowle Post 151 Memorial Fund (272 Broad Street, Conneaut), or the Conneaut Hospital Thrift Store (255 Main Street, Conneaut).