Barbara Jean Sluss, age 85 of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died peacefully at home in the arms of her family on February 19, 2020.

She was born November 1, 1934 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the second oldest in a family of twelve children, and the eldest of seven daughters to Marion and Lorraine (Lee) Pio.

Barb was a devoted mother, sister, aunt and friend. She married her husband, Gene on August 5, 1953 and they shared 67 years of marriage. Barb retired from Comstock Public Schools as a bus driver. She served as a member of the Comstock VFW Ladies Auxiliary since 1986. Barb enjoyed bowling and many crafts including quilting, stained glass creation, crochet, petit point, tatting and making dolls. She was also a collector of tea cups, salt and pepper shakers, buttons, knick-knacks and most important of all of her collections were the love and hearts of others.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; sisters, Alice, Betty and Dorothy; and brothers Dick, Sam, Jerry, Charlie and Larry. Barb is survived by her husband, Gene; children Karen (Tim) Gillespie, Candi (Dan) Tyler, Gene (Amy) Sluss and Gale (Mark) Lego; twelve grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; as well as her sisters, Jeanette, Kay and Darlene.