Barbara Elouise Ohly-Dingus

December 5, 1924 - October 22, 2023

On October 22, 2023, Barbara Elouise Horvath Ohly entered her eternal home in heaven. At the age of 98, Barbara had a full life. She was born to Paul and Stella Horvath as the middle daughter on December 5, 1924 in Lorain, Ohio. The three Horvath girls (Hungarian lineage) were well trained in music since their father was a trumpet player and conducted the local band for ceremonial occasions. Margaret, the eldest, sang light Opera while Rosemary, the youngest daughter, was a soloist in church and the community. Barbara sang during her school years, participated in plays as well as musicals and elected to join the local beauty pageants. At one of these events, actor Jimmy Durante, the featured guest, stood next to her as the photographer snapped the photo. Durante smiled and declared, “I’m looking at you, Barbara.” While working at the local bank, she met her future husband William N. Ohly, a WWII US Naval war veteran from Oberlin, Ohio. He owned a yacht at that time and they both enjoyed sailing near Cleveland on Lake Erie. The two married in June of 1948 and celebrated with a 17 day honeymoon that included Niagara Falls.

The Ohlys began family life and Barbara became a full-time mom to Jeff, Pat, and Greg. The couple lived in Westerville, Ohio for many years then retired to the Reynoldsburg community. Barbara went back to work in the banking industry, becoming a Bank One teller supervisor before retiring. It wasn’t long until she rejoined the workforce with Golden Rule Insurance agency. Sadly, due to declining health, Bill Ohly passed away on August 17 of 1988; the two had been married forty years.

Friends and family loved Barbara’s sense of humor, outgoing personality, and easy manner. Music surrounded her world. Barbara joined community choral groups as well as their church choir. She was invited to sing many solos in church or other events. She often played piano and sang along to scores of Gilbert & Sullivan, Broadway musicals, and church hymns. Spending time with her family – children and grandchildren – was of primary importance. Her hobbies other than music included cooking, church activities, Bible studies, sewing, and gardening. As springtime approached, Barbara would be getting the soil ready for the blossoming annuals which edged the patio. She later planted climbing clematis that bloomed profusely.

Not quite ready to be alone, Barbara met and married Harry Topham who was a retired minister from Tennessee. The two traveled to visit friends and relatives in many states until Harry’s life was cut short from a medical condition. It wasn’t long when Barbara met a gentleman who enjoyed Scripture, music, and gardening. Retired pastor Earl J. Dingus married Barbara. The two had nine years together until Earl’s health declined and he passed away August 23, 2014. Barbara decided to move closer to her family members that were settled near Greenville, SC. The move to the South had many advantages including opportunities to visit her grandchildren and many great grandchildren. It was here she spent her latter years.

Barbara is survived by her oldest son Jeffrey William Ohly, his wife Rhonda of Taylors, SC as well as his six children, their spouses, and grandchildren; Patricia Ann Ohly of Fountain Inn, SC; and daughter-in-law Tierney Ohly wife to Greg Ohly of Rochester Hills, MI and their six children, their spouses, and grandchildren. Preceded in death, in addition to her husbands, is Barbara’s youngest son Gregory Philip Ohly (January 1, 1953 to March 19, 2021). Also preceding her in death are Barbara’s parents and her two sisters: Margaret Horvath Long and Rosemary Horvath Selegue. Barbara’s family is grateful for her many years with them, her wit, her wisdom, and the blessings afforded by having a mother and grandmother who honoured and feared the Lord.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” Psalm 116:15.

Why should I feel discouraged,

Why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely,

And long for heav’n and home;

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant Friend is he;

His eye is on the sparrow,