Barbara Shifflet

Barbara Lee Shifflet, passed away peacefully, Wednesday evening, August 13, 2025, at the age of 91, with her daughter by her side after a brief illness.

Born March 2, 1934 in Morral, Ohio, to William and Marguerite (Beck) Koontz. She graduated from Morral High School and started her working years with Fulfillment and Boise Cascade in Marion. But her real work was building a life and raising a family with her husband, Bob Shifflet, whom she married on Christmas Eve in 1952. Together, they put down roots in Bellville in 1972, and there she stayed.

Barbara was the kind of woman who didn't flinch. Tell her she couldn't do something, and she'd prove you wrong before you could finish the sentence. She fished the waters of Lake Erie near Huron for years, and when she brought home her catch, you can believe she cleaned it herself. She hunted deer, woke before sunrise, and sat through cold mornings in the woods.

Some might've called her confident-others would say she was a bit on the stubborn side. But if you knew Barb, you knew better than to argue. But beneath that iron will was a woman who loved to laugh, connect, and be surrounded by the people she loved. Barbara had a social spirit and a spark in her step. She was a proud member of both the Bellville American Legion Post #535 for over 45 years and the Lexington Moose Lodge #2511 -never once drinking her coffee from a plastic cup. Ceramic mug, always.

She traveled to Nashville for fun and loved a good country concert. She made friends like most people make small talk. Genuine and wonderfully outspoken, she was simply one of a kind.

She is survived by her daughter Bobbie (Todd) Bryan of Fredericktown; son-in-law Howard Snavely of Mansfield; grandchildren Missy (Chris) Curry of Mt. Vernon, Robby Walters of Fredericktown, Jenny Snavely of Mansfield, and Josh Snavely of Mansfield; great-grandchildren Cooper and Hadley Curry of Mt. Vernon, Clayton Walters of Fredericktown, and Dominic (Grace) Snavely of Lexington; and great-great grandchildren Zeke and Oaklynn Snavely of Lexington. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family who knew the blessing of her bold and loving presence.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Bob; her daughter Bonnie Snavely; her parents; and siblings Louie Koontz, Bill Koontz, and Mary Winters.

Graveside services will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:30 AM in Bellville Cemetery, where friends are invited to gather and visit beginning at 11:00 AM. The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Love Our Heroes, 24 Bell Street, Bellville, Ohio 44813.

Barbara didn't live quietly-and she sure won't be forgotten quietly, either. Her life was loud with love and full of strength.