Donald Bruce Barnhart, 97, rural Iola, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at Everbreeze Farm west of Iola in the same farmhouse in which he was born.
He was born Aug. 24, 1915, the son of Edgar Lewis and Martha Ethyl (Kees) Barnhart. Don grew up on the Everbreeze Farm, attending Enterprise Grade School and Iola High School.
As a young man, Don traveled the east coast as a refrigeration engineer. Then, as a faithful son, he returned to Iola and lived and farmed at Everbreeze the rest of his life.
As an adventuresome outdoorsman, he became an accomplished skier (both snow and water), pilot, hiker, avid fisherman, great mechanic and farmer. He also enjoyed bowling and was admired for his skill on the dance floor. He was a great role model and second father to two generations of nieces and nephews. He taught them how to drive, ski, farm and fish.
He is survived by a sister, Lenore Barnhart Osborn, Iola; two sisters-in-law, Caryl Denney Barnhart, Kansas City, and Virginia Boucher, Washburn, Mo.; nephews, Bruce, Lynn and Dale Barnhart, all of Florida, and Denney Barnhart, of the home; nieces, Kathy Moyer and Patty Miller, both of Florida, and Marilyn Cox, Kansas City; and beloved great-nieces and great-nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dorothy Barnhart Remsberg Anderson, Max Barnhart and Marjorie Barnhart.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Iola Township Cemetery east of Piqua.
Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
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