Barbara Elaine Lockwood's Obituary
Beloved mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother – Barbara Elaine Lockwood was all these and more.
Barbara passed away peacefully while surrounded by her four children on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Winter Haven, Florida. She was 87.
Barbara was born Sept. 26, 1937, to parents, Preston and Edna Rapelje in Lansing, Michigan. She was the firstborn of five siblings. In 1955, Barbara graduated from Lansing’s J.W. Sexton High School.
On Dec. 10, 1960, Barbara married the love of her life, Merrill Lockwood. They had four children and raised their family on a farm in Perry, Michigan.
Barbara had a sentimental heart and was a talented artist who enjoyed painting and crafting, sometimes working on projects with Merrill. She also loved to travel with her husband and family. Through the years, she and Merrill visited many states and took their children on road trips to national parks and other landmarks.
Barbara retired from Perry Public Schools following a career as an assistant librarian.
In retirement, Barbara and Merrill happily lived in a small cottage Merrill’s parents, Jean and Gladys Lockwood, built in National City, Michigan. Barbara loved living within walking distance of her two sisters and Floyd Lake. Barbara and Merrill were also snowbirds, spending summers at the cottage and the colder months in Winter Haven, Florida.
Barbara loved her family and was a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her four children, Tracy (Wayne) Hayward, Kimberly, Michael (Lynn), and Richard; sister Patricia DeBolt; brother Preston (Linda) Rapelje; sisters-in-law Ella Parrish and Edna (David) Scheffler; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Sondra Loveland, brother Thomas Rapelje, and brothers-in-law Arthur Loveland and Donald DeBolt.
In keeping with Barbara’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A joint burial for Barbara and Merrill will take place in Perry, Michigan at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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