Barry Lee Stufft

On Friday, December 13th, Barry Lee Stufft concluded his earthly chapter of life, leaving all those whose lives he had touched with both heartache, and joy, at having shared time with him.
Barry was born on April 12, 1947, to Celestine and Dorothy (Manges) Stufft. He often joked that he was born at home because he wanted to be close to his mother. Barry was the middle of five children, with brothers Maynard and Truman leading, and sister Pam, and brother Neal following. Barry was an authentic middle child, keeping peace in all stages of life, and being the dependable one for others.
A relentlessly outgoing social butterfly, Barry knew how to make others feel loved. He captured the heart of Jane Lynette Larson when she was just twelve years old. Months of front porch visits, and years of dating, led to their August 15, 1970, wedding. They settled in Jeannette, PA and their family grew by adding sons Christopher and Jonathan.
Through his work in the insurance industry, the family relocated to Milford, Ohio in February of 1978 and built 44 years of memories there, all closely tied to their church community of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Loveland, Ohio. Barry was an additional parent to many kids at church, mentored children in catechism, worked with various men's ministries, served as a Stephen Minister, and offered healing prayer, along with being an active participant serving in worship.
Barry was a stickler for being on time, meaning you always had to be at least fifteen minutes early. If he knew when you were planning to visit, he would be on the porch watching for you at least fifteen minutes before that time. And whenever you arrived anywhere with Barry, he made you feel loved. He had a knack for seeing the gifts of others, and an intuition for reading emotions. There wasn't much you could hide from him. In fact, as Chris and Jonathan entered their teenage years, he would often tell them that he would pray that they would get caught if they were doing anything wrong – and they always did! – so it became the family joke that Barry had a direct connection to God. That connection served him well as he loved to pray with, and for, others throughout his life.
Barry loved touting the successes of his grandchildren. Whether they were sharing a first word, or an "A" on a report card, Barry was proud. He spent many hours with grandchildren in his arms as well as in his heart.
Barry loved God, family, singing, and being outdoors. From early days in a quartet to family camping and hiking adventures, his favorite outdoor activity over the last many years was riding his recumbent trike. He battled six different forms of cancer over the last 14 years and kept fighting back to enjoy the people and the things that he loved.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents Celestine & Dorothy (Manges) Stufft, brothers Maynard & Truman Stufft, sister-in-law, Carol (Carver) Stufft, brothers-in-law, Thomas Kabala & Lloyd Jarvis, and nephew, Butch Stufft.
Barry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Lynette (Larson) Stufft, son Christopher Michael (Lauren Mize) Stufft and grandchildren Adrienne & Eli (their mother Stacy Delk), and Anderson; son Jonathan David (Rene) Stufft and grandchildren Lorelai, Luke, and Vivian. He is also survived by sister Pamela (Dave) Merriman and brother Neal (Beverly) Stufft along with cousins and many nieces, and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the nurses, doctors, and staff of Riverside Methodist Hospital and Hospice of the Western Reserve for their excellent care and support in Barry's final weeks of life.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to support the Alzheimer's Association by making a gift online at act.alz.org
Visitation will be held Friday, December 20th from 2-4 pm in Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, (101 S. Lebanon Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140) where the funeral service will follow at 4 pm. The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Stufft family and encourage friends and family to visit:www.snyderfuneralhomes.com to view Barry's tribute video.