Barbara Eve (Hartsock) Mcarthur

Barbara Eve (Hartsock) McArthur, 91, of Medway, Ohio passed away on March 9, 2023 at Dayspring-Miami Valley Health of Fairborn, Ohio after battling dementia for a number of years. She was born February 7, 1932 in Waynesville, Ohio to James Sears Hartsock, Sr. and Barbara Eve (Filer) Hartsock. She eloped and married John Dickson McArthur, Sr. on December 13, 1954 and he preceded her in death in 2010. She was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers James William (Billy), Joseph Eugene, James Sears, Jr., David Dean, Daniel Lloyd, George Mark, John Michael, and Thomas Matthew and a daughter-in-law, Theresa McArthur. Barbara was affectionately known as the Button Lady and would give talks at schools, churches and community organizations while wearing her dress made of buttons and displaying her very large collection of buttons. She served as Den Mother when her boys were in Cub Scouts and she was part of the Medlake Lioness Club, the Garden Club and a member of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution. She was also very involved with the Medway (OH) Christian Church where she led youth groups, taught and led Vacation Bible School, taught Sunday School, worked in Children’s Church and the nursery, was involved with the ladies group and sang in the choir. Every minister knew they could always stop by for a glass of tea and they would often be invited over for dinner. And whenever the church hosted a missionary or guest speaker, they were invited over for Sunday dinner. Always a creative person, Barbara would make, based on drawings or descriptions given to her, Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren. Whenever the grandchildren came to visit, she would have plays for them to act out (with costumes) and songs to sing. She kept games in a hallway linen closet to play with whoever came over and she loved to read, do puzzles and play word games. She also bowled on a league for years and when her children were older she was a substitute teacher. Her husband often had to travel for his job with the government and Barbara managed to keep her four boys in line while he was away. Without ever saying it, Barbara was a modern example of a Proverbs 31:10-31 woman. Barbara is survived by her sons, John Jr., Tim (Malissa), Dan, and David (Andrea) as well as 17 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, her sister, Mary Francis Hartsock, and many nephews and nieces, sisters-in-law, as well as friends and others who she considered her grandchildren as well. An obituary can never tell the whole story of a person’s life because we each have our special memories. Barbara’s family encourages everyone who knew her to always remember and share those stories as a memorial to her. A celebration of life will be held at the Medway (OH) Christian Church on Tuesday morning, March 21, 2023 at 11:00am with visitation at 10:00am. Donations may be made in her memory to Medway Christian Church, P.O. Box 5, Medway, OH 45341. Arrangements have been entrusted to Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.trostelchapman.com .