Byron "Barney" Stickles

STICKLES
Byron Leslie
A gentleman, scholar, philanthropist, and friend to so many, Byron “Barney” Stickles passed away peacefully at UTMC on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the age of 85.
Barney was born in Toledo, Ohio, on March 13, 1931, the son of Gladys Day (nee Ames) and Francis Byron Stickles. In addition to a hectic business career - even after his retirement - he always found time to give back to the community through his philanthropic efforts and his generous dedication to numerous organizations. He gave of himself, and that is the greatest gift of all.
Barney earned a Bachelor's degree and two Masters' degrees, including a Counselor in Education and Psychology. He attended Logan Basic College of Chiropractics in Florissant, Missouri, and Great Hope College in Cleveland where he earned his Doctorate in Mechanotherapy. In 1985, he obtained his Clinical Hypnotherapy certification. Professional memberships included, a charter member of Chi Sigma Iota, Sigma Chapter at Siena Heights; Delta Epsilon Sigma; and the National Scholastic Honor Society at the University of Dayton. During his academic career, he was listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Barney had a storied business career that began with the former Norfolk & Western Railway. Initially, he was a telegraph operator, then he advanced to become an agent. Ultimately he was named the General Agent of the Toledo Terminal. He often recounted the glory days of the railroad in Toledo and the role it played in the city's development of which he was a part. Then, his career switched tracks, and for 25 years, he was president of the former Styl-Rite Lamps Shades, Inc., of Toledo until his retirement. He also served as an appraiser for both the Lucas and Wood County Courts.
Volunteerism was in Barney's blood, and he was passionate about the organizations he religiously served. He was past president of the Toledo Freight Agents' Association, a division of the Association of American Railroads. He assisted Roy and Georgette Engler with founding and implementing the Sunshine Children's Home, and for many years, he served on their Board of Directors and held the position of the secretary/treasurer. In fact, he was one of the last board members at Sunshine before their merger, and his first Master's thesis was entitled, The Engler Years, a document that ultimately became a training manual for new employees at the Sunshine Home.
As one who valued education, he served for nine years on the Board of Trustees of Siena Heights College in Adrian. He was instrumental in the creation of the Counselor and Social Workers' Board of Ohio in 1986. He was the past president of the American Morse Telegraph Club of America and held a radio/telegraph operator's license - K8NHH. He served as a volunteer interpreter for the Sauder Museum's Railroad Station and frequently demonstrated his telegraphy skills. Just recently he donated his extensive collection of telegraphy instruments so that future generations would come to appreciate the early days of wired communications. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, his ancestor being Ellen Alden Stickles, a direct descendent of the Mayflower Aldens.
As the consummate animal-lover, Barney was a dedicated and passionate member of the Toledo Animal Shelter Association. He held numerous offices in the Association, including president, and after retirement and during his tenure as president, he faithfully went to the Shelter almost daily to tend to the agency's business affairs. Probably his greatest achievement was spearheading and implementing the construction of the new shelter building. While there were many past presidents responsible for the growth and stability of the TAS, Barney unquestionably took the Shelter to the next level. Never one to quit, recently when the Shelter needed a president, Barney stepped up and reprised his role as its leader.
He was devoted to the Masonic Order. He was a 50+ year member of the Northern Light Lodge #40 F&AM, and he was a Past Master (1959). He chaired the 150th and the 175th anniversary committees as well as the Lodge's investment committee. He was a member of the Ft. Miami Calumet Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, the Past High Priest, and he served as the treasurer. He was also a member of the Calumet Council Royal and Select Masters, the Zenobia Shrine, and a member of the Palestine Chapter #50, Order of the Eastern Star as well as a Past Patron of the former Maumee Chapter #197. He devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to preserving the history of the Masonic Order in Maumee and Toledo. When a Masonic brother passed away, Barney was always there to lead or assist with the Masonic services.
Barney is survived by his sister, Marie J. Zimmerman Meade; nephews, Robert (Susie) Zimmernan, Stephen (Melinda) Charter, and Ted Charter; his nieces, Susan Zimmerman Marks and Cheryl Zimerman Jaworski, and many great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Shirley J. Charter Szczecinski, and nephew, Fred Charter.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. in Ft. Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg. Arrangements by Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, Maumee. Condolences may be shared with the family at
walkerfuneralhomes.com
One of his favorite Masonic quotations will be inscribed on his crypt: “We are traveling on the level of time to that undiscovered country where no bourne traveler returns.”
Appropriately, he signs off with the universal telegrapher's ending code.
-30-
As published in The Blade