Obituary of Howard J. Barnhart

Howard J. Barnhart, 80, of Coffeyville, passed away Sunday, December 11, 2016, at Windsor Place. He was born on June 5, 1936, at his Grandmother Neely's home in Cherryvale, KS to Joseph H. and Zeolah (Neely) Barnhart. Howard grew up and attended school in Coffeyville graduating from Field Kindley High School. On August 4, 1956, he was united in marriage to Alice Marie Aikins at the First Baptist Church in Coffeyville. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville where they raised their family. Howard was employed as an Operator at Farmland Refinery (now Coffeyville Resources) retiring in 1998. After his retirement they lived at Table Rock Lake in Missouri until returning to Coffeyville in 2003. His wife preceded him in death on August 27, 2011. Howard was a member of the First Baptist Church, and the International Union of Operating Engineers for 35 years, serving 18 years as Business Manager, and served in the Kansas National Guard from 1954 to 1962. He enjoyed trains, and loved spending time with his family. Survivors include one daughter, Kathleen Ledbetter of Coffeyville; one daughter-in-law, Vicki Barnhart of Topeka; four grandchildren, Jennifer Muntzert and husband Terry of Coffeyville, Heath Barnhart and wife Allison of Topeka, Samantha Gudde and husband Kyle of Coffeyville, and Kyle Barnhart of Tempe, AZ; six great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Ann Vannoster of Coffeyville, Mary Oglesby and husband Steve of Montana, Ellen Howard and husband Chuck of Texas, and Judy Grove and husband Michael of Afton, OK; two brothers-in-law, Russell Aikins and David Aikins; and one sister-in-law, Sharon Pillette. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son, Joseph Dean Barnhart on September 2, 1992, one son-in-law, James Ledbetter on October 24, 2010; two brothers, Charles Barnhart and Edward Barnhart; and one brother-in-law Fred Vannoster. A memorial service celebrating Howard's life will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 16. 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Coffeyville with Dr. J. Dean McNamara officiating. Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may sign the register book on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Association or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.