Barbara Painter

Barbara (Caldwell) Painter, age 85, wife of Jesse A. Painter of South Coventry, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in her sleep with her husband by her side on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Born on June 3, 1938, in West Chester, she was a daughter of the late Mary (Fulton) and Robert W. Caldwell.

Barbara was raised in Phoenixville until 7th grade when her family moved to East Coventry. She attended East Coventry Elementary School and was a 1956 graduate of Spring-Ford High School, where she was a drum majorette. On June 1, 1957, she and Jesse married and were living in their first apartment in East Vincent Township when Jesse was drafted into the Army in 1958. She accompanied him to Georgia for basic training and later to Albuquerque, NM, where their daughter, Colleen, was born.

After returning to Pennsylvania in 1960, Barbara and Jesse built their home in South Coventry, the home in which they still reside, and completed their family, with their three sons. Mainly a homemaker, Barbara helped work as a secretary for the family business, Painter Bros. Excavating, of South Coventry.

She was a longtime member of Brownback’s United Church of Christ, teaching Sunday School for many years and was not only the first woman elected to serve on the Consistory in 250 years but served as Consistory President. In recent years she was a member of Shenkel U.C.C.

Barbara was a longtime member of the former Spring-Ford Chapter of the Eastern Star, having served as past Worthy Matron. She volunteered as a leader of the 4H sewing club and was a member of the Advisory Board for the Chester County Home Extension for 20 years.

She worked the South Coventry election polls and served for many years as the Judge of Elections for South Coventry Township. For over 20 years, Barbara was a weekly driver, serving meals for Meals on Wheels in the Pottstown area.

Her personal interests included gardening and tending to her flower beds. She was an avid sewer who enjoyed making clothing and quilts. In her later years, Barbara sewed many quilts that her family and friends received.

Family was very important to Barbara. She especially cherished her 65th birthday party celebration in Colorado in 2003.

In addition to her loving husband of 66 years, Barbara is survived by her children: Colleen, wife of John Boyer, Jay A. Painter, Kurt F., husband of Laurie Painter and Andy G. Painter; grandchildren: Kevin Boyer, Jessica Salisbury, Derek Painter, Alyson Giacalone, Kailyn Painter and Rebecca Painter; nine great-grandchildren: Danny, Easton, Jesse, Joanna, Jack, Jared, Tyler, Ian and Owen; and siblings: Robert F. Caldwell, Kitty C. Caldwell and Molly Scott. She was preceded in death by a grandson: Benjamin Painter.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11:00 am at Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580 Shenkel Road, Pottstown. Officiating will be the Rev. Suzanne M. Spaulding. Interment will follow in Brownback’s Church Cemetery, Spring City. Friends will be received from 9:30 AM-10:45 AM at the Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s name to the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, 57 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown, PA 19464, https://www.pottstowncluster.org/donate or The Salvation Army, 137 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cattermole - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.