Barbara Lou (Prime) Dewald

        Barbara Lou (Prime) Dewald, age 93, formerly of Akron and Oscoda, Michigan, passed on to rejoin her beloved husband, Will, on April 27, 2023, from complications of Alzheimer’s.

        Barbara was born in Akron, Michigan, in December 1929, to Lloyd Devilla and Lula Mae (Horst) Prime.  After completing a secretarial course at what now is the Saginaw Business Institute, she married William Dewald, the youngest of twelve children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Stengel) Dewald in April 1950.  Barb and Will lived their entire lives in Akron, where she was a homemaker, member of Fairgrove Grace Lutheran Church, and long-time Akron Village Clerk.  After Will’s retirement, they moved to Oscoda.  Barb spent her last six years at The Laurels of Fulton in Perrinton, Michigan.

     She is survived by her children: Karen (Tim) Riegle of Elsie, MI; Don Dewald of Vallejo, CA; David Dewald; Steven (Lotus) of Westland and Oscoda, MI; grandson Jeff (Sara) and great-granddaughter Eden Riegle of Stillwater, MN; and Sarah (Erin) Riegle of Lansing, MI; plus many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband and three infant sons, parents, her brother Richard and his wife Rita Prime, in-laws, brothers, and sisters-in law, and nieces and nephews.

     Cremation has taken place, and a family service will be held in the summer at the Demorest Cemetery in Akron, Michigan. 

     Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Dementia Society of America.  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.