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Barbara Lynn Secrest

Barbara Lynn Secrest, of Shelby, died just two days short of her 82nd birthday on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Barb was born December 17, 1939 in Athens, Ohio to the late Marvin Paull and Frances Marie (Nichols) Wood. She was a graduate of Caldwell High School and had attended Ohio University. Barb had been employed at Shelby Business Forms for a short period in her life but primarily was a homemaker, raising not only her own children but also watching many teachers’ children throughout the school year.

Barb was a very active member of First United Methodist Church in Shelby. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, sang in the choir, was the head of funeral dinners for many years, served on the memorial committee, and volunteered for the annual vacation bible school in addition to any other activities she was asked to participate in. In 2020, Barb was rightfully recognized for her active volunteerism with the Jess Rath Christian Volunteer Service Award. Barb was a member of the Child Guidance League Mother’s Club, enjoyed time spent with her euchre club, was an avid reader, and liked putting together jigsaw puzzles and solving word searches. She also enjoyed knitting.

Barb’s family was incredibly important to her. On August 16, 1964 she married Darrell John Secrest and he survives. Throughout their 57 years of marriage, Darrell and Barb enjoyed many life events together. When their three children were in school and members of the Shelby Whippet Band, Barb became active with the Band Parents helping with all the activities and events even serving long past the time her children were in the program. Later, her grandchildren became the light of her life and she relished any time she could spend with them, teaching each different life skills and following all of their activities. With Darrell enjoying aviation and flying, Barb enjoyed flying with him, and also looked forward to taking car rides so that she could look for deer across God’s country. Barb was an avid Shelby Whippet fan and thoroughly enjoyed cheering them on in any sport and was also a fan of The Ohio State University Buckeyes.

In addition to her husband, Darrell, Barb is survived by her three children: Brent (Jennifer) Secrest of Wilson, NC, Eric (Jennifer) Secrest of Westerville, and Michele (Mark) Deutchman of Acworth, GA; six grandchildren: Alexander “A.C” Secrest, Elizabeth “E.J” Secrest, Emma Secrest, Jack Secrest, Jamie Deutchman, and Seth Deutchman; a sister: Beth Saling of Caldwell; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Nancy and Bob Rudge of Caldwell; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 1-3 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 18 South Gamble Street, Shelby where a celebration of life will immediately follow at 3 p.m. Revs. Jeff Croft and James MacDonald will officiate the celebration and a luncheon will be held at the church following services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church to be put toward their annual vacation bible school or The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research (Fund Number: 646870) at www.giveto.osu.edu.

Care for Barb and her family is being provided by the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby.

Appropriate ways to express sympathy for those unable to attend may be done by leaving an online condolence on Barb’s obituary at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on her post on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.

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