Barbara Jean Wentz

GILBOA – Barbara Jean Wentz, 91, of Gilboa, went to be with the Lord at 2:40 a.m., Thursday, February 5, 2026, at The Meadows of Leipsic. She was born February 14, 1934, in Leipsic to the late Charles and Mary (Dukes) Nemire. On November 30, 1952, she married Arthur Wentz, who preceded her in death on November 15, 2000.

Barbara is survived by three children: Connie (Mark) Buehrer of Leipsic, Rick Wentz of Leipsic, and Robert Wentz of Georgia; a daughter-in-law, Karen Wentz of Findlay; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by two children: Randall Wentz and Ronald Wentz; a great-grandson, Bradley Wentz; and a sister, Janice Diller-Otto.

Barbara was a 1952 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School and graduate of the Ohio Institute of Banking at Ohio University. She was a member of Gilboa United Methodist Church, where she served on numerous committees. Early in Barbara’s adult life, she followed Arthur around the country, while he was in the service. She worked in numerous banks, but found her home at the First National Bank of Pandora when they moved back to Ohio. There, she would become Vice President Emeritus for student and signature loans after 28 years of service. During her tenure, she was also Director of Prestige 50 Club. Here, she led those eager, as much as she was, to travel around the country, visiting all 50 states and Europe as well. Continuing with the Union Bank in Ottawa, Barbara finally retired after 52 years in the banking world. In that time, she was President of the Pandora-Gilboa School Board for 4 years and served on the Board for 12 years, a PG Building Committee member, PG School Foundation member, and was a board member of the Cancer Society and United Way. She was also past member of the Ohio School Board Association and served on the Putnam County Council on Aging Board of Trustees for 9 years. In 2000, she was presented the Pandora Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and again in 2011, she was granted the Council on Aging Citizen of the Year Award for the Pandora area.

Barbara will forever leave a lasting impression on those in, and around, the community. Those who knew her best will remember her infectious smile, her love for people, and the support she gave to her family and friends. She never knew a stranger and attended as many sporting and school function events as she possibly could to support her grandchildren. She also managed to find time to visit people in the nursing home and took friends and family to appointments. She loved her flower gardens and would spend numerous hours planting and tending to them throughout the spring and summer months.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Gilboa United Methodist Church with Pastor Ruth Carter-Crist officiating. Burial will follow at Harman Cemetery, Gilboa. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, prior to the service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s honor to the Gilboa United Methodist Church, 102 Franklin Street, Gilboa, Ohio 45875.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com