Gail L. Barber

Gail L. Barber, 85, was called to her Heavenly home on Friday, March 27, 2026. She was born on November 3, 1940 to her loving parents, Earl and Elsie Horcher. Gail graduated from Lancaster High School in 1959 and married Paul E. Barber, the love of her life. Gail and Paul made their home in Millersport, where they raised their daughter and son. She also cherished being a sister, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend to so many.

Gail will always be remembered for being a woman of faith. She was a member of Millersport United Methodist Church, where she attended regularly. Gail taught Sunday School, Bible School, and enjoyed her women’s bible study. She treasured her many years of attending Camp Sychar in Mount Vernon, which she referred to as “A Little Piece of Heaven on Earth.” Year after year, she took her grandchildren to camp so that they, too, came to love the Lord as she did. She always said Camp Sychar was such a blessing to her family and all of the many friends she made there.

Gail had a special gift for faithfully visiting with shut-ins and those in nursing care facilities; she was a wonderful caregiver. During her final weeks, when her body and mind were failing, she was asked if she had any advice to share, and she quickly said, “Trust in the Lord and Love Jesus.” Her family takes comfort in knowing exactly where she is today.

Her legacy will live on through the family she loved so deeply and the many lives that she touched. Gail is survived by her children, Paula (John) Clark, and Michael (Julie) Barber; her grandchildren who were her greatest pride and joy, Cara (Corey) Weekly, Caylee (Mitchell) Severance, Ryan Barber, Regan Barber, Macey Abrams, and her great-grandchildren who she loved dearly, Caydee and Cobey Weekly, Payslee and Vivee Severance, and Elijah Abrams. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Elsie, and her husband, Paul E. Barber.

A special thanks and blessings to the wonderful staff at The Springs at Wyandot Trail for taking such loving care of our mom, and her friends of 73 years, Mary Green and Shirley Jadwin, who were with her until the end.

Caring Cremation® has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00pm at the Johnson-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Mark Phillips officiating. Friends and family may visit from 4:30pm until the time of the service. Gail will be laid to rest next to her husband at Millersport Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry, for the many years of kindness and service they provided for Gail and so many others, https://Issnetworkothope.org/donate.