Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Barbara Louise Kauffman, age 79, went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday November 24th, 2024.

In 1945 Barbara was born in Tallahassee, FL. to the late Charles Edward West & Carolyn Paterson Bardsley. Charles, serving in the National Guard, was Stationed at Fort Miles in Lewes, DE. Living on the beach welcomed the best childhood for Barbara and her two brothers, Donald and Charles (Ed). Barbara was an artist from a very young age focusing on drawing and oil painting. Working for local photographer, Nick Varada as a young adult, her artistic side flourished.

Barbara married native Gene Wharton, with whom she had their three children, Jeff, Beth & Kevin. Barbara spent many years as a homemaker, from sewing homemade clothes and perfecting her love of cooking but most importantly nurturing her family and establishing friends and church family.

As her children grew older, Barbara began working and soon acquired her real estate license, where she met Charles Kauffman, with whom she spent the majority of her life with. Barbara and Charles traveled and created their business journey together from The Donut Shop, a mobile home sales business, Country Wicker, Bootsies BBQ, Nikken sales, and Kauffman's Crossing.

Barbara served as president of Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce and took pride in her work for women's rights.

With retirement she filled her time with her grandchildren both at home and traveling.

After being widowed for 15 years, in September of 2019, Barbara met John Schade with whom she married and happily shared the remainder of her beautiful life

Barbara is survived by her husband John Schade, three children, Jeffrey Wharton (Peggy), Beth Rogers (Dave), Kevin Wharton (Nancy), Step-son Robert Kauffman (Teresa), grandchildren, Meghan Hudson (Ryan), Melanie Wharton, Carly Wharton, Olivia Rogers, Amber Graham (Cody), Kevin Wharton, JD Kane, Chelsea Dubinski (Jake) R.J. Kauffman and six great grandchildren, Mila Hudson, Oliver Graham and Callum, Easton & Josie Dubinski. and Trey Kauffman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, DE, 19970 where friends and family may gather after 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mariner's Bethel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Life Church, 24545 Shortly Road, Georgetown, DE 19945 and Salvation Army .