Valeria E. (Wagner) Barber

Valeria E. (Wagner) Barber, age 100, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Saint Clare Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio, where she had been a resident for the past seven years.
She was born on April 25, 1925, to John W. and Mary C. (Willitzer) Wagner in Adams Township, Defiance County, Ohio, and was the ninth of sixteen children. Valeria was a 1943 graduate of Jewel High School and the first daughter in her family to graduate high school, doing so with honors. On September 9, 1950, she married James H. Barber, who preceded her in death on February 25, 2014.

Valeria was a faithful member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Defiance and was active in the Women’s Altar Rosary Society and Christian Mother's Society. After high school, she worked for several years at Meek’s Bakery, an experience that later blessed her family with an abundance of pies, cookies, homemade bread, and rolls. Her pies were especially famous and sought after by many. She also assisted her husband with activities at the Knights of Columbus.

Valeria loved to laugh, particularly when spending time with her sisters, and their laughter often filled the room. She was also known for being a meticulous housekeeper.

She will be sadly missed by her five children: William J. (Pamela) Barber, Louise A. (Gary) Van Cleef, David J. (Deirdre) Barber, Jeffrey C. (Jane) Barber, and Jennifer M. (Greg) Cira. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Karen A. (John) Renner; Alan P. (Erin) Barber; Bradford W. (Melinda) Barber; Ian H. Van Cleef; Peter J. (Karen) Barber; Meredith J. (Andrew) Mickey; Margaret R. (Jeremy) Smith; Megan V. Barber (Grant Phillips); Maureen G. (Nick) Killion; and Samantha M., Sydney A., Spencer G., and Sophia C. Cira.

She was blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren: Logan and Mason Renner; Kayleigh and Josephine Barber; Henry and Claire Barber; Faith and Joy Barber; Eleanor, Evelyn, and William Mickey; and Morgan, Lauren, and Hannah Smith.

Valeria is also survived by her sister, Marcy Froelich; sisters-in-law Vivian Wagner and Georgiana Wagner; and brother-in-law Chuck Konecny.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter; a grandson, Andrew Van Cleef; brothers, Carl, Paul, Bernard, Justin, John, Raymond, James, and Walter Wagner; and sisters, Irene Baker, Rosemary Eisel, Grace Cape, Martha Konecny, Mary Gillen, and Joann Keil.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. John's Catholic Church in Defiance. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 am at the church, with Fr. Kevin McGraw officiating. Valeria will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance, Ohio.
Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Saint Clare Commons and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their exceptional care of Valeria over the past several years.
Memorial donations may be directed to St. John's Catholic Church. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com

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