Barbara Miller Raeckers

Barbara Miller Raeckers, a devoted mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Barbara made Florida her home for over 50 years, where she built a life filled with love and family.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mildred and Gerhard Miller, and her best friend and sister, Linda Wharton. She is survived by her sons, Jerry Raeckers and Jason Raeckers; daughters-in-law, Kelly Raeckers and Christina Raeckers; and her wonderful grandchildren: Garrett Raeckers (Kalie Romig, his fiancé), Dalton Raeckers, Frankie Raeckers, and Miller Raeckers.

Barbara’s greatest joy was her family. She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother who poured her heart into time spent with her loved ones. When the family moved to Lutz, she spent countless hours transporting Jerry and Jason to Town & Country so they could continue playing baseball with their friends. She created a second home for the boys’friends. Anyone who ever ate at Barb’s knew what a wonderful cook she was. It was not uncommon for the boys’ friends to come over to hangout, eat, and then stay a few days or weeks, everybody felt like it was their home too. Barbara loved watching football with her sons and sofa coaching her Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosting holiday meals for her family, sewing projects for her grandchildren from nursery decor to hemming baseball pants, and lunches with her friends. Barb raised her sons to be wonderful husbands to her daughters- in-law and the best fathers to her grandchildren.

A smile will always come to those who loved her when we smell her signature scent, Aromatics Elixir, see someone wearing her trademark tangerine lipstick, or hear a grandma sharing her no-nonsense opinion on the way things should be done.

We all love you so much, and we will miss you until we see you again with our Heavenly Father.