Barbara Marsh

Some people live their lives at half-speed and half-heartedly, aimlessly shuffling through their days. Barb Marsh certainly wasn't one of them. Barb lived her life with an uncommon energy, vibrancy, and vigor, with a strong will and an even stronger spirit. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, but most of all, she was a woman who lived - and loved - her life to the fullest.

Barb's story began on a cool December day in 1936, as the change of seasons came to Otsego, Michigan. Those were such hard but hopeful times in this country, which had been mired for so long in the depths of the Great Depression. Under President Franklin Roosevelt's leadership, Americans were returning to work, and for the first time in many years, a light appeared at the end of the dark tunnel. Still, times were tough for many in 1936. It was in 1936, on December 3rd that a little girl named Barbara was born. Her parents were not able to care for her and left her in the care of the doctors. The doctors knew of a couple who were wanting to adopt a child and they were the perfect fit for Barb. When she was three months old, baby Barb was adopted by a couple named Harold and Vernice (Stratton) Eshlaman. Her parents divorced when she was young and so Barbara found a home with her grandparents, Eolah and Ralph Skinner.

Barb grew up in the charming town of Otsego, a close-knit community where everyone seemed to know everyone else. When she was a young woman, she was visiting a friend's house one day when a young man named Charles "Skip" Marsh came over with a bunch of friends. Skip knew from the minute he met Barb that he wanted to date her! Lucky for him, the feeling was mutual, and a romance quickly ensued. It wasn't long before the young couple was in love, and they were married on October 23, 1953, at the Otsego Church of God, when Barb was just 17.

The newlyweds lived in Otsego for many years starting out. It wasn't long before the wife and husband became mother and father, as well. Barb and Skip were blessed with two wonderful boys, David and Byron, who filled their lives with happiness over the years. Barb was a terrific, supportive mother, and acted as a Den Mother for their Cub Scouts troops growing up.Barb worked as a babysitter for a while at home. As her boys grew older she worked outside of the home. She was a cook at Plainwell Lanes Bowling Alley and the Brown's Family Inn.

After living between Plainwell and Otsego for several years, Barb & Skip packed up and moved down M-89 to a home on Pine Lake, which Barb loved so much. Always a voracious reader when they were first married, Barb's new hobby at their new home became fishing! She and Skip loved to sit on the dock, lines in the water, waiting for a bite. Skip usually handled the catching, while Barb took care of the frying afterward. Barb was a pretty competitive person, though, so whenever she caught a fish bigger than Skip did, you'd better believe she let him know it! When their grandchildren arrived, Barb especially loved taking them out to the dock to go fishing with her.

Barb was a terrific cook, and made wonderful potato salad, fried chicken, Rice Krispy treats, deviled eggs, tuna salad casserole, and she loved to bake cookies with her grandkids, too.

Never one to sit still very long (unless she was fishing), Barb worked for awhile at the Pine Lake Diner, as well as the Treasure Chest in Plainwell and the dime store, too. She even helped out at the voting booths from time to time.

When Barb and Skip retired, she enjoyed every minute of it. They traveled often, visiting the Bahamas, Hawaii, Nashville, and her favorite spot, Las Vegas! Barb loved going to the casino, and could play slots for hours on end. Back home, she loved heading over to the Blue Chip Casino, or up to Mount Pleasant for a trip to Soaring Eagle. She loved games of all kinds, though, whether it was watching game shows on TV, or playing at the Tuesday night card club at the community center, too.

Barb also spent many long nights playing cards with her grandkids, who she simply adored. She and Skip loved to take David & the grandkids to Goshen, Indiana for weekend trips, staying at the Holiday Inn Holidome, which the kids loved for the indoor pool. Barb's ever-present smile was never broader than when watching her grandkids laugh and play.

There were so many things that Barb enjoyed, though, being the fun-loving, vibrant woman she was. She was a lifelong Elvis Presley fan, and enjoyed collecting bells and snowmen figurines, which lined the shelves of her home. She and Skip were also members the conservation club in Plainwell, and she also enjoyed going to soup suppers at the local churches, too, where Barb chatted with many different people.

Sadly, Barb was diagnosed with cancer, and fought the disease so bravely and courageously, with the same strong will and spirit she displayed in everything she did. Barb died at the Life Care Center of Plainwell on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at the age of 70.

Barb was a remarkable woman, a fighter, a lover, a mother and friend. She was a woman always willing to go the extra mile in everything she did, smiling and laughing all the way. Most of all, Barb was a woman who lived, and loved, her life to the fullest, and taught us to do the same. She will be so greatly missed.

Learn more about Barb, visit with her family, and view her Life Story Film on Friday from 1-3 & 5-7 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams, where her service will be held on Saturday at 1 PM. Barb's family includes her husband, Skip; her son, David Marsh of Plainwell; her grandchildren: Tammy Marsh of Plainwell, Brandi & Andy Filip of Florida, Byron & Dawn Marsh of Plainwell, Sarah Marsh & Josh VanDyk of Plainwell; and great-grandchildren: Samantha, Trenton, Kyler, Heather, & James. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son Byron Charles Marsh. Please visit Barb's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her Life Story, share a favorite memory or photo, or sign her online guest book. Memorial donations may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.