Barb is the wife of a distant cousin of mine, Art DeMars. They were farmers for many years--a farm that had been in the DeMars family for over a century. They sold the farm and moved to a new home several years ago. At the request of her son, I have removed my photo of Barb and her husband.

This is her obituary:


Mrs. Barbara J. DeMars, age 64, passed away on Monday evening, January 22, 2007 at her home following a long illness. She was born on May 14, 1942 in Fremont, Michigan to Richard & June (Webster) Wolfsen. Barb was retired from Gerber Products Company, and she had owned & operated Barb's Beauty Shoppe. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brunswick. On April 27, 1963 she married Arthur E. DeMars and he survives her along with 2 children: Steven (Tammy) DeMars of Harpswell, Maine, Angela (Jerry) Kosmeder of Tucson, Arizona; 4 grandchildren: Kirstin & Taitum DeMars, Andrew & Emma Kosmeder; her mother, June Deeds Maat of Fremont; 1 brother, Wayne (Sharon) Wolfsen of Fremont; and 1 sister, Peggy (Dave) Benham of Newaygo. She was preceded in death by her father, her baby daughter, and by 1 sister: Dixie Gueulette. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brunswick with Fr. Michael Alber as Celebrant. Interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home from 7-9 PM on Thursday, and from 2-4 & 7-9 PM on Friday. A Vigil Service will be held at 8:00 PM on Friday. Suggested Memorials: Harbor Hospice, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. You may sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com. 637 E. Main Street - Fremont (231) 924-2130 or (888) 544-5388

Published in the Muskegon Chronicle on 1/25/2007.