Eleanor B. Barnhart

Eleanor B. Barnhart, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at her home. A Celebration of Eleanor’s Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct., St. Joseph, MI with Pastor Wade Panse officiating. Friends may gather with the family from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. prior to the service at the church. Eleanor has been laid to rest next to her husband at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint, MI. Memorial donations may be made out to First United Methodist Church or Church World Service of Elkhart, IN. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Eleanor was born on November 15, 1920 to Worth and Lorena (Leaske) Eastman in Pontiac, MI. She was a graduate from Pontiac Central High School. Eleanor married her husband, Lyle Barnhart in Pontiac on March 7, 1942. Together, they raised two sons and three daughters. Eleanor was a long time member of First United Methodist Church in St. Joseph. She loved to cook, sew, garden, read and interior decorating. Most of all, Eleanor cherished spending time with her family. Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Sheryl (John) Safran of West Bloomfield, MI, Robert (Laurie) Barnhart of Okemos, MI, John (Gwen) Barnhart of Cedar Crest, NM, Loree (Rick) Smiedendorf of St. Joseph, Mary (Jeff) Kisthart of Livingston, MT; Grand-children, Karyn (David) Murray, Nicole (Rob) Johanson, Joel, Jeremy, and Michelle Smiedendorf, Andy and Zach Barnhart, Molly and Sarah Kisthart; great grand-children, Brendan and Noah Murray, Conor Johanson and Brookelyn Hoiles, a sister, Shirley Golland of Portage, MI and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lyle; daughter, Susan; brothers, Jerry and Bob; sister, Vivian; and her parents, Worth and Lorena.