Barbara Lee Schondelmayer

Barbara Lee Schondelmayer, age 96, passed away October 2, 2024, under the care of amazing staff at Trillium Woods, to be with her Lord and Savior. Barbara was born in Grand Rapids, MI November 12, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Sylvia Cole (Robinson). She grew up in Cedar Springs and graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1946. She loved to keep in contact with her high school classmates and attended all of her class reunions until 2022.

On June 27, 1947, she married Richard Hollis Lovelace, who passed away in 1968. Richard was the father of their four daughters Constance A. (Ron) Stoll, Janet L. (Gregg) Stoll, Deborah S. (Allen) Martinez, and Denise A. (Mark) Schneider. They had great times boating, camping, and traveling to California by car.

In 1969, Barbara married Bernard Schondelmayer, who passed away in 1997. They traveled the United States by motorhome in the winter for 15 years and enjoyed boating and camping in the summer months.

She was a salesperson at Montgomery Wards in fashion and fashion accessories. She was also a sales representative for Home Interiors Inc. and did office work for Kelly Girls.

Barbara has been a member of Wesley Park United Methodist Church since 1956, participating in the Women’s Methodist Society, choir, boys’ acolytes, youth group, Freddie’s Angels and Senior Saints. She was also a 4H leader, Camp Fire leader, PTA member, and was in F.C.E. (MI State Extension program) for over 20 years as their secretary. Barbara also enjoyed photography and spending her free time sewing, painting ceramics, scrapbooking, dancing, and traveling. She traveled to Canada, Mexico, most of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, and 12 countries in Europe.

Barbara’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She is remembered by her 10 wonderful grandchildren Melissa (Jim) Howard, Matthew (Amy) Stoll, Rebecca (Brian) Huberty, Travis (Charlie) Martinez, Stephanie (Rahul) Dhar, Tammy (Randy) Everly, Shane (Jenny) McLellan, Nathan (Erica) Stoll, Elyse (Robert) Paffhausen, Mollie (Zach) Doerr; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Susan Walker; and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her twin brother, Waldo (Fran) Cole; brothers Robert (Marie) Cole and James (Shirley) Cole; and twin sisters Joanne (Bud) Hysell and Jane (Al) Thomas.

Funeral visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2024 at Cook Memorial Chapel (4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI) and prior to the funeral from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, October 12. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12 at Cook Memorial Chapel with a luncheon immediately following and an interment service at Woodlawn Cemetery (2530 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI). In celebration of mom's life, if you so desire, join us in wearing hats and bright colors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to Wesley Park United Methodist Church. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.