Barry Thomas Plouse, age 51, resident of Edinboro, PA, died at his home on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Born in Spangler, PA on July 1, 1962, he was a son of the late Wade P. and Alberta B. Patty Plouse.

Plouse, Barry ThomasBarry was a dedicated father, husband, brother, and friend who was an inspiration to many and will be greatly missed. Despite being confined to a wheelchair for the past 30 years, Barry overcame many obstacles and lived his life to the fullest. He loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting, fishing, kayaking, and boating. He was the co-owner of Trans 58, a transportation logistics company located in Edinboro.

Barry’s family includes his wife, Tanis Boden Plouse and their daughter, Ramey E. Plouse; four brothers– Samuel Pelchar (Karen) of Oakridge, TN, Wade “Rusty” Plouse of York, PA, Edward Plouse of Dover, PA, and Cecil “Scott” Plouse of Edinboro, PA; one sister– Margaret “Bunny” Bracken (Dave) of Mineral Point, PA; his nieces– Taylor Pelchar, Shawna Bracken, Amber Bracken, Whitney Plouse, Morgan Plouse, and Talyn Boden; and his nephew Tyler Boden.

In addition to his parents, Barry was preceded in death by his step-daughter, Taylor Cunningham.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 12:00 noon at McLane Church, 12511 Edinboro Road, Edinboro, PA. Pastor Brian Kelly will officiate.

Memorials may be given to the Regional Cancer Foundation, 2500 West 12th St., Erie, PA 16505, or to the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501.

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.