Barbara Jean Kries

Barbara Jean Kries, 91, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on March 28, 1934, in Belvidere, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Laura Milner. Barbara was raised in Belvidere and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1953. She spent most of her adult life in Washington Township, New Jersey, where she built a life centered around family, hard work, and the simple joys that meant the most to her.

Barbara shared a remarkable 71-year marriage with her beloved husband, Melville Kries Sr., who preceded her in death less than three months ago. Their love and devotion to one another were an inspiration to their family and all who knew them.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Laura Milner, and her sister, Marilyn Derr.

Throughout her life, Barbara wore many hats and embraced every role with dedication. She worked for the West Jersey Phone Company and NJ Bell Telephone Company as an operator. Together with her husband they owned and operated Washington Sporting Goods and Zimmerman’s Steakhouse in Washington, NJ, and later spent many years working at Hunterdon Medical Center, retiring in 2007 to help care for her great-grandchild. Even after “retirement,” she continued working into her late 70s in the library at Taylor Street School, where she loved sharing stories about the many children she met there.

Barbara was also a past member of the Washington Emergency Squad Ladies Auxiliary.

She loved the little things that made life fun. She rarely missed an evening of bingo, enjoyed trips to the casino and the horse races, and spent hours crocheting or completing word searches. She was a devoted fan of the New York Mets and the New York Knicks. She also loved spending time at Orsi’s Store in Brass Castle, often passing hours there visiting with friends — especially with the owners who were her dearest friends that she considered to be family.

Barbara was known for her outspoken personality and her superstitions, and she had a famously poor sense of direction, often getting herself a little lost along the way, something her family always laughed about with love.

Above all else, she treasured time with her family—especially Sunday dinners, holidays, summer vacations at the shore and time spent camping.

She was incredibly proud of her family and fiercely loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She could often be heard—very loudly—cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events.

She is survived by her children, Chip Kries and his wife Jody of Washington Township, Randy Kries and his wife Kellye of Washington Township, and Melanie Deemer and her husband Pete of Washington Township; seven grandchildren, Jason Kries and his wife Kristen, Derek Kries and his wife Joan, Kyle Kries and his wife Nicole, Nicole Deemer Smith and her husband Ron, Kayla Deemer, Colby Deemer and his wife Juli, and Shane Deemer and his fiancée Lexi; sixteen great-grandchildren, Logan, Olivia, Lilly, Gracie, Blake, Austin, Elijah, Eloise, Bailey, Zachary, Mason, Oakley, Tucker, Beau, Aaila and Levi; and her sister, Carol Johnson.

Though deeply missed by all who loved her, her family finds peace in knowing she is once again reunited with her beloved husband of 71 years, Melville, continuing a love that defined their lives together.

Her greatest joy in life was her family, and the many memories shared around dinner tables, cheering from the sidelines and gathering along the Jersey Shore will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, March 20,2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 West Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. A service celebrating Barbara’s life will begin in the funeral home at 12:00 PM. Inurnment at Montana Cemetery will immediately follow.

To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.