WAUSEON, OH - Maribelle Bare (March 13, 1936 – September 15, 2023) Maribelle was the oldest of five children born to the late Roy and Dessie Clark, residents of Wyandot County, Ohio. The two youngest died in infancy. At the age of five, Maribelle, Norma Jean, and Gene were moved to foster care. For the next ten years they were raised by James and Mary Hanover, along with the Hanover children, twins Marion and Marilyn. At the age of 15, her foster sister, Marilyn, became her foster mother. Marilyn’s husband, Claude Chivington, assumed the role of foster father. Mary Belle changed the spelling of her name to Maribelle and added the middle name, Lynn, when she went to the Chivington’s home.

In 1955, Maribelle graduated from Bloomville High School, then worked as a surgical nurse’s aide at Mercy Hospital, Tiffin, Ohio. The part she liked best about her job was carrying newborn babies through the waiting room to the nursery without revealing the baby’s sex to the waiting family. Fellow employees often helped her watch for her sweetheart, Danny’s truck in the parking lot waiting for her to get off work. He was a student across town at Heidelberg College. The two of them were married on June 24, 1956, and later that August were assigned to the Republic Evangelical United Brethren Church. Prior to that Danny worked with his dad on the farm south of Tiffin, and they lived with her folks. Maribelle worked for a year as a clerk at the local grocery store, but in her heart, she wanted nothing more than to become a mother. God granted her desire as they were blessed with six children, Daniel (Rita) Bare, Deborah Bare, Rodney Bare (friend, Rhonda), Rebecca (Toby) Ernsberger, Stephen (Byronna) Bare, and Ruthann (Jeff) Block. Debby died when she was only two days old.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her husband of 67 years, Daniel Bare, 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Claudia (Gary) Rode; brother, David (Roxy) Chivington, and nieces, Jo’Dell (Jim) Knueven, Joyce (Alan) George, Julie Maynard, and Jody (Rick) Maag.

Maribelle had a beautiful singing voice, a sense of humor, and a smile that was sometimes interrupted by her progressive dementia. She earned the nickname “Sunshine” from the many people she impacted by her smile that was invariably in place. To God be the Glory!

A service celebrating Maribelle’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Liberty Chapel Global Methodist Church, Liberty Center, Ohio with Pastors David Chivington and Ben Shaeffer officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, also at the church. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Tuesday between 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery, Tiffin, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the church in honor of Maribelle. For additional information and to view Maribelle’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.

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