Barbara Jean (Houser) Massey, age 96, of Fort Loramie Swanders Road, Anna, passed away peacefully of natural causes Monday afternoon, January 20, 2025, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio.  She was born October 30, 1928, in Huntington, Indiana, to the late Paul & Georgianna (Kase) Houser. On June 29, 1952, at St. John Lutheran Church in Columbia City, IN, Barbara married Paul Massey who preceded her in death on December 6, 2008.

Surviving are three of four children: Ray & Joan Massey of Anna, Susan Fry (dec.), Rex & Teresa Massey of Groveport, OH, Donna & Rev. Mark Sell of Ballwin, MO; 10 grandchildren: Suzanne & Scott Garrett, Paula & Keith Bey, Jacqueline & Jeff Eilerman, Kimberly Massey, Alex & Rachel Massey, Brian Dierks, Dennis Dierks, Regan & Brandon Schnug, Madison & David Young and Parker Sell along with 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Mason Paul Bey; two siblings, Lois Joan & Hugh Ware and Harold Houser as well as brothers & sisters-in-law, Ward & Claire Massey and Rachel Clinard.

Barbara was a 1946 graduate of South Whitley High School (Cleveland Township). In 1975, she acquired RN nursing credentials with high honors from Purdue University of Fort Wayne, IN. While she had primarily been a homemaker, over the years, she also worked at various nursing homes and hospitals. In recent years, she had been a dedicated a care giver for members of her family.

Barbara was a devout member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sidney as well as St. John Lutheran Church in Columbia City, IN. She was a funeral luncheon volunteer and long-time blood drive volunteer for the Whitley County Community Blood Center. Barbara was a skilled seamstress and master quilter and had been active in the DORCAS lady's group. She also enjoyed making fancy chocolate candies. She will be remembered for her kind & helpful attitude and for her quiet content servant demeanor.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sidney with Rev. Arthur M. Casci and Rev. Mark Sell presiding. Interment services will be at 11:30 AM Wednesday at Cleveland Township Cemetery in South Whitley, IN.

Family and friends may call Monday, 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie and Tuesday from 2:00 PM until the hour of services at the church.

Memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church of Sidney. Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.