Published: October 14, 2009 10:39 pm         

Mary L. Barnhart

SALINE CITY — Mary L. Barnhart, 103, of Saline City, passed away Oct. 13, 2009, at 4:42 p.m. at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. She was born Sept. 3, 1906, in Vigo County, the daughter of Empson Fitch and Flora Stewart Fitch. She attended Ashboro High School. On Feb. 9, 1923, she married Charles T .Barnhart Sr. Her husband was killed in a tragic accident in 1960. Mary worked as a cook for the Ashboro School and later at Jackson Township Elementary School. She also was a caretaker for Floy Graeser for several years.

Mary was a member of the Saline City Ladies Aide all her life. She also was a member of the Bowling Green Eastern Star for over 50 years and the Cory Rebekah Lodge, also for over 50 years. She attended the Ashboro United Methodist Church.

Mary enjoyed growing and tending to flowers, doing puzzles, making quilts and was an avid reader. She also was a follower of current events and politics. She enjoyed traveling with friends and especially enjoyed a trip to Hawaii. Her family was the center of her life and was affectionately known as “Grandma Noodle.”

Survivors include her children, Doris Easter and husband Bill of Saline City, Ruby Royer and husband Jim of Terre Haute, and Earl Barnhart and wife Donna of Center Point; 14 grandchildren, Steve Barnhart (Melody), Darrel Barnhart (Karen), Lynn Hardman, Melinda Helderman, Frank Barnhart (Teri), Leslie Williams (Lester), Mary Easter, Allen Easter, Bruce Royer ( Gisela), Phyllis Collins (Rich), Louwanna Hudson (Buck), Scott Royer (Aletta), Rhonda Rentschler (Greg), and Annette Smith (Roy); 35 great-grandchildren; 38 great-great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Doris Barnhart of Saline City; one sister, Claudia Fitch Gibson of Terre Haute; an “adopted daughter,” Rosemarie Thomas; many nieces, nephews; and a large extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles T. Barnhart Sr.; two sons, Charles T. Barnhart Jr., and Murril Glen ‘Curly’ Barnhart; one great-grandson, Wayne Hoffmann II; six brothers, Wilbern, Aaron, John, Charles, Robert and David Fitch.

Services will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at French Funeral Home, 421 E. National Ave., in Brazil, with the Rev. Myron James officiating. Burial will follow at Ashboro Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again Monday prior to services. Pallbearers will include her grandsons. In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to Ashboro United Methodist Church or to Ashboro Cemetery Association.