Barbara Boeckling

Barbara Stein Boeckling, 97, Centerville, OH, formerly of Huron, OH and Salem, OH, passed away on April 12, 2023. Born May 14, 1925 in Huron, OH, she was the daughter of the late Wright Meeker and Elizabeth Myers Stein. She grew-up in Huron’s first funeral home, Stein Funeral Home, established by her late father in 1925. Today, the funeral home, still in its original location, is known as Foster Funeral Home.

Barbara graduated from Huron High School in 1943 and attended Dennison University to study Retail Management. She was a life long member of Alpha Phi Sorority. During the summers she was employed at Plum Brook Research Facility, Sandusky, OH doing her part to advance the war (WWII) effort.

After college Barbara moved to Cleveland, OH and was employed by the Halle’s Department Store in retail sales. On September 13, 1947 she married George A. Boeckling, a grand-nephew of G.A. Boeckling, developer of Cedar Point. They moved to Salem, OH to live and raise their family. Barbara was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior volunteering her time and services to many worthy causes, especially the Church’s Almost New Shop. She was a member of many civic and social organizations; Traveler’s Club, Story Book Museum, Salem Preservation Society and Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association. In 1975 she was employed as a Para-Professional in Early Childhood Development in the Salem Public School system and retired 10 years later.

The family enjoyed many summer vacations traveling extensively throughout the United States, Canada and the British West Indies. In retirement Barbara and George continued their travels to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. Summers were always spent at the family cottage in Chaska Beach, Huron, OH, a resort developed by her late father, Wright M. Stein.

Barbara is survived by a son, George Wright (Carolyn Joyce) Boeckling; two daughters, Elisabeth Boeckling Spiro, Carolyn Marie Boeckling; son-in-law, Monty Gamble; four grandsons, George Jonathan (Rebecca)Boeckling, Robert Colt (Tara) Nelson, Daniel Zivney (India) Nelson, Thomas George (Lily Mae Walton) Nelson; three great-grandchildren, George Robert Boeckling, Isla Marie and Emmet Lee Nelson; step-great grandchild, Kylie Rhodes (Nelson); nephew, John (Carol)Dutt; niece, Amy (Gary) Dutt Lewis. Preceded in death by her husband, George A. Boeckling; daughter, Martha Louise Boeckling Gamble; sister, Florence Dutt Santoro; brother-in-law, Anthony (Tony) Santoro; nephew, James Dutt; niece Barbara Dutt Vermillion.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Bethany Luthern Village and Hospice of Dayton for the loving care she received in her time of need.

In Lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to the Chaska Beach Lot Owners Association Tree Fund, c/o Lori Brown, PO Box 212, Huron, OH 448390; Christ Episcopal Church, 120 Ohio St, Huron, OH 44839; Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton,OH 45420.