Barbara A. Surface

Barbara A. Surface, born on October 16, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025, at the Hampton Manor of Bedford in Lambertville, Michigan, just shy of her 90th birthday. Barbara led a life filled with love, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to her family and community.

Barbara’s professional career included working as an Executive Secretary at Buckeye Brewery before taking a 20-year break to raise her family. Her professional life continued as a part-time sales associate at J.C. Penney and discovering her passion as a floral arranger at Bartz Viviano until her retirement in 1992. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and creativity, Barbara embodied the qualities of a caring and artistic individual.

In her early days she attended Hill View Elementary School and was a proud graduate of Sylvania Burnham High School class of 1953. Barbara would go on to marry her husband, Donald A. Surface, in 1954 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Temperance, Michigan. Together, they celebrated 69 wonderful years of marriage, during which they cultivated a life of shared joy and companionship.

Barbara was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, taking immense pride in her children, Bradley J. (Lisa) Surface - Lambertville, MI, and the late Jeffrey A. (Cheryl) Surface. Her grandchildren, Shawn (Savannah) Surface - Bellaire, MI, Stephanie (Mutch) Sabounchi - Lexington - KY, Kyle (Katie) Surface - Morgantown, WV, Adam Surface - Lambertville, MI, and Heidi Surface - Zephyrhills, FL, brought her boundless joy, while her great-grandchildren, Riley, Tegan, Kennedy, Colby, and Rosie, were the delight of her later years. She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Smith - Strongsville, OH. and daughter-in-law Cheryl (Scott) Surface - Milford, MI. She will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She joins in eternal rest her beloved husband, Donald, her parents, Emmert and Dorothy Blasingame, her son Jeffrey A. Surface, her sister Sally Beckman, and her stepsiblings, Wanda and William Blasingame.

Beyond her family, Barbara was known for her friendly and outgoing personality. She loved hosting dinner parties and family gatherings, especially during the holidays, creating warm memories with loved ones that will be cherished forever.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed shopping, playing cards with friends, home decorating, gardening, participating in fashion shows with her sister Sally Beckman, sewing, cooking, and baking. She also enjoyed boating and fishing in Lake Erie with her late husband. Barbara was also a member of the Rondelet Dance Club where she and Don enjoyed many evenings of socializing and dancing. Upon retirement in 1994, she and Don relocated to Bradenton, Florida where she became an avid golfer, beachgoer, and Elks Lodge member. She and Don returned home in 2006 to be closer to family residing in Temperance Michigan.

The family would like to extend special thanks to all who provided compassionate, loving assistance and care for Barbara, making her last years more comfortable. In-home caregivers Hailey Thomas, Sonya Adams, Jessica Thomas, grand-daughter Heidi Surface and Nancy Cortez as well as Optimal Care Hospice and the entire staff at the Hampton Manor of Bedford and her loving niece Lori Beckman, who visited most every evening for dinner at the Hampton Manor.

Barbara A. Surface leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and a spirit that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with a memorial service immediately following at Newcomer Funeral Home (Northwest Toledo Chapel), 4150 W. Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio. Interment will be at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to made to the Alzheimer’s Association.