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CHASSELL -- Barbara J Fox, 94, a resident of Chassell, MI, previously of Baltic, MI, passed away July 24, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.
Barbara was born on March 14, 1932, in Sacramento, CA, a daughter of the late LLoyd and Irene (Pierce) Bertschi. Barbara was raised in Modesto, CA around farm land where her parents owned a grocery store and lived in a home behind the store.
Barbara had many jobs, from bookkeeping, working in a cannery and eventually making a career working for the State of California as a secretary for many different departments. She retired from the State of California in 1988 at the age of 56, with over 30 years of employment, to move to Michigan.
Barbara was married previously before she was united in marriage to David H. Fox in 1961. The couple resided in the Sacramento area for 27 years where they were blessed with a daughter. In 1988 with the arrival of their first grandchild they moved to their home in the Copper Country. Then in 1992 they moved to their home in Baltic. When her husband David passed away on March 13, 2026, Barbara moved to an apartment in Chassell.
While residing in the Sacramento area, Barbara was active with the Rebekah Lodge, part of the Odd Fellows Fraternal Organization. Barbara was active in her local lodge and became an advisor for the youth group of the organization, Roseville Theta Rho Club. Barbara was always willing to drive her girls to many events up and down the state of California. She even slept on the floors of people’s homes and at the lodge buildings with all the kids. Barbara wouldn’t have traded this time for anything in the world. Barbara also transferred her membership to the Calumet Rebekah lodge when she moved to Michigan.
While living in the U.P., Barbara was on the Portage Lake Little League Board as Treasurer and helped her husband organize the umpire schedules. Barbara was a member of the Lions Club of South Range. When her daughter asked for help with Girl Scouts, Barbara stepped in to help lead the girls. Barbara was always there when needed.
Barbara loved her family, she was at every event from athletics to school activities for her grandchildren and always wanted to celebrate their accomplishments. Barbara was the best support to her daughter while growing up and when her daughter was raising her children. She was loved by all of her family, and they knew they could turn to her for support and unconditional love in any situation. We are grateful for all the memories we have and all the time that God gave us to spend with her.
Surviving are: Her daughter Joyce (Ron) Winsor of Chassell; grandchildren: Autumn Winsor of St. Johns, MI; Erik Winsor of Negaunee, MI; 4 great-grandchildren: Felicity, Josephine, Roslyn and Poppy; Her sister Elaine Reynolds of Baker City, OR; Her brother Jim Bertschi of Sacramento, CA; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Barbara Fox’s Life will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel. Friends may call on Tuesday from 10:00 am until time of services at the funeral home.
To view Barbara’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.