Barbara Ann Kemper

Barbara Ann (Kiser) Kemper, 78, of Bidwell, Ohio, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026, with her three sons by her side. Barb was born February 4, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio, and was daughter of the late Robert and Rita (Bouzan) Kiser.

A retired bookkeeper, Barb worked tirelessly at Grace Methodist Church in Gallipolis, Ohio for many years. Barb was a woman of many talents - she loved history, sewing, cooking, and baking. Barb participated in the Revolutionary War re-enactments at Fort Randolph for many years, sewing costumes and participating in the annual re-enactments of the Siege of Fort Randolph. She enjoyed walking, collecting anything related to pigs, and watching Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. She always dreamed of visiting Alaska, and she was able to go in July of 2019.

Above all else, Barb loved her family. She took great joy in attending her sons’ and grandchildren’s sporting events and could always be found donning a shirt supporting their schools. Barb gave herself selflessly to those she loved; she will be fondly remembered for baking her son’s wedding cake, sewing clothes with her granddaughters, and bringing fresh eggs to family gatherings.

Barb was a quiet woman, but those who knew her knew how great of a storyteller she was. She loved sharing stories about her family history and was always willing to lend a listening ear. She will be affectionately remembered as being “tough as nails,” one of the strongest women we have ever known. In the last years of her life, she suffered gracefully, never complaining.

Survivors include her loving children: Matthew (Vicki) Kemper, Marietta, Georgia; Michael (Monica) Kemper, Naples, Florida and Manny (Kimberly) Kemper, Kerr, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Nick (Carly) Kemper, Katie (Ryan) Rospond, Max (fiancé Ashlyn) Kemper, Mike (Alex) Kemper, Hannah Kemper, Ethan Kemper, Danielle Paige Kemper; four great-grandchildren, Eli, Sony, Avery and Lucy Kemper; four sisters, Joan Eggleton, Roberta Shriver, Karen Gilliand, Pam Stover; sister-in-law, Caryl Kiser; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by the father of her children, William L. “Junior” Kemper and her brother, William “Bill” Kiser.

A memorial service will be held in the near future. Cremation services are under the direction of the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, Gallipolis, Ohio, who is honored to serve the Kemper Family.