Louise H. (Hill) Barkan

Louise H. Barkan, of Toledo, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022, at Kingston of Sylvania at the age of 90 years. She was born on April 1, 1932, in Hamlet, North Carolina to John Lloyd and Ethel (Butte) Hill.

She graduated from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro and shortly thereafter married Ralph Wilson. After years of service in Korea he returned and went to University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Louise was working at the University Inn. After his graduation, he was employed by Owens Illinois. They were transferred many times, from New Jersey to Toledo, to Abaco, Bahamas, to Nausaa, Bahamas, to Falls Church, VA and eventually to Toledo where she remained for the rest of her life. They had six children. In 1976, Ralph was sent back to Dallas, TX, to be operated on for heart disease. He did not survive the operation leaving Louise, a 43-year-old widow, with the six children, who ranged in age from 3-18 years.

Subsequently, she attended the University of Toledo and obtained a Master's degree in Public Health (Magna Cum Laude). After graduation, she became the Executive Director of the Juvenile Intervention Project (JIP), a small social service program dealing with drug use by children and young adults. This began years of a career of service as Executive Director, board member and/or officer of several agencies and organizations in the drug use prevention and mental health area, including but not limited to United Health Service and the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County. In addition, she was a member of several other organizations, including Coterie, Junior League, Toledo Women's Club and the Toledo Bar Association Auxiliary. In 1990, she married William Barkan, who was, himself, a widower. They had met when they both were members of the JIP board. For 32 wonderful and glorious years, they were best "Buds", traveled, golfed, gardened, went to movies and the theatre, played bridge, faced adversities, lived together, and loved each other.

Surviving is her husband, Bill; children, Julie Wilson Backus, Kathryn Wilson (Gene) Chattin, Elizabeth Wilson (Mark) Wilkins, Michael Wilson, Steven Wilson, Grant (Sarah) Wilson; stepdaughter, Andrea Barkan Liebenthal; 18 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her son-in-law, Chris Backus; and daughter-in-law, Lee Wilson.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday May 19, 2022 at the Temple Shomer Emunim, 6453 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania, OH 43560 where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at Eagle Point Cemetery, Rossford, OH.

Arrangements by the Robert H. Wick/Wisniewski Funeral Home (419) 535-5840.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Congregation Shomer Emunim, Toledo Jewish Community Foundation or any other charity of choice.

www.wickfh.com

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