Barbara A. Koeper, age 78 of New Bremen, died suddenly on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 4:25 A.M. at the Joint Twp. Dist. Memorial Hospital in St. Marys.

She was born on September 30, 1947 in Celina, the daughter of the late Charles O. and Cleora C. (Fark) Forwerck. On April 8, 1967, she married Jerry V. Koeper at St. Peter's Church, and they shared 58 years together before his death on November 9, 2025.

Surviving are her children: Teresa Koeper-Moore of West Chester and Tim (Bridget) Koeper of New Bremen; her grandchildren: James (Lindsey) Nichols, Austin (Ali) Koeper, Cody (Victoria) Koeper; step-grandchildren: Logan (Makaley) Dicke and Brooke (Lucas) Poeppelman; great-grandchildren: Alex and Addyson Nichols, Maddox, Myles, and Mylo Koeper, Walter and Clara Koeper, with another on the way; a step great-grandson, Rainer Dicke, and her sister, Connie Koch of New Bremen.

Along with her parents and husband, Barb was preceded in death by an infant brother and her bother in-law, Vernon Koch.

Barb was a 1965 graduate of New Bremen High School and was a member of St. Paul Church in New Bremen where she had been a Sunday school teacher for nearly 20 years. She was also an active member of the New Bremen American Legion Post 241 Auxiliary where she had served as President. Barb kept an active social life by spending time at the Legion Canteen, visiting wineries with friends, shopping in "the big city" with Teresa, was an avid bowler for many years, and she greatly enjoyed visits with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She had worked for Crown Equipment Corp., ConAg, the former Howell's IGA, and Miller's Marathon, but she really spent most of her time working on the family dairy farm, helping run the operation for many years after Jerry's health declined. Barb was an animal lover who cared for the numerous farm cats, dogs, and was especially fond of her cat, Lizzie.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 12:00 Noon at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with Rev. David Voll officiating. Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen.

Calling Hours will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and again one hour prior to funeral from 11:00-12:00 on Friday.

Memorial contributions in memory of Barb can be made to the New Bremen Emergency Squad (214 N. Washington Street, New Bremen, Ohio 45869).

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Koeper family online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.