Barbara Ann Kemper

Barbara Ann Kemper, 78, of Bidwell, Ohio, passed away on March 8, 2026, surrounded by her three sons. Born on February 4, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Rita (Bouzan) Kiser.

A retired bookkeeper, Barb devoted many years to Grace Methodist Church in Gallipolis. She found joy in history, sewing, cooking, and baking, and for many years she participated in Revolutionary War re-enactments at Fort Randolph, where she sewed costumes and took part in the annual Siege of Fort Randolph. She also enjoyed walking, collecting pig-themed items, and watching Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. In July 2019, she fulfilled a longtime dream by visiting Alaska.

Above all, Barb cherished her family. She delighted in attending her sons’ and grandchildren’s sporting events, proudly wearing their school colors. She gave of herself without reservation, baking her son’s wedding cake, sewing clothes with her granddaughters, and bringing fresh eggs to family gatherings. Though quiet by nature, she was a gifted storyteller who loved sharing tales of her family history and offering a listening ear. Those closest to her remembered her as “tough as nails,” a woman of remarkable strength who endured her final years with grace and without complaint.

She is survived by her sons, Matthew (Vicki) Kemper of Marietta, Georgia, Michael (Monica) Kemper of Naples, Florida, and Manny (Kimberly) Kemper of Kerr, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Nick (Carly) Kemper, Katie (Ryan) Rospond, Max (fiancé Ashlyn) Kemper, Mike (Alex) Kemper, Hannah Kemper, Ethan Kemper, and Danielle Paige Kemper; four great-grandchildren, Eli, Sony, Avery, and Lucy Kemper; four sisters, Joan Eggleton, Roberta Shriver, Karen Gilliand, and Pam Stover; sister-in-law Caryl Kiser; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the father of her children, William L. “Junior” Kemper, and her brother, William “Bill” Kiser.