Barbara J. "Tomlison" Mathess

WELLSVILLE, OHIO – Barbara J. "Barb" Mathess, 78, of Wellsville, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Valley Hospice Care Center North in Steubenville, OH with her family by her side.

Barb was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on March 23, 1947. She was a graduate of East Liverpool High School Class of 1965. Barb also graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in education in 1969. She taught for 32 years at Beaver Local Schools as a health and physical education teacher until her retirement in 2001. She coached volleyball at Beaver Local High School and Middle School. She was the first girls basketball coach at Beaver Local High School. Barb was a contributory part of starting the Beaver Local Schools Athletic Hall of Fame and was eventually inducted as one of its members. She was an avid bowler. Barb bowled in the state tournament from 1969 up to 2015. She was the president of the East Liverpool Women's Bowling Association. Barb was selected to the board of directors for the State Bowling Association where she served as Sergeant at Arms. Barb was a member of Holy Trinity Parish at St. Aloysius where she served as a eucharistic minister. Most importantly, she was a loving wife.

Preceding Barb in death were her father Paul E. Tomlison and mother Phyllis (Treleven) Stewart.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 55 years, whom she married August 1, 1970, Steven Mathess.

Friends may visit Tuesday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinty Parish at St. Aloysius with Fr. Bala Marneni as celebrant. Burial at Columbiana County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed in Barb's memory to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.