Gene Edwin Barnhart

For 88 years, Gene's light shined in this world. He was a kind man with a charming wit and a servant's heart. Gene was God loving, a dedicated worker, a great friend, true to his family. He loved to share stories with folks and often told them to “be gentle.” Gene was a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a son, a brother, and an uncle to many nieces and nephews. And he had a place in his heart for each of them.

Unfortunately, Gene's flame flickered out on July 15 in Albany, Oregon, ending a quiet struggle with several health issues that became more challenging since the death of his daughter Diane in March.

Gene was the youngest of 10 children to Stella and Irvan Barnhart in the small central Michigan town of Coleman. He was just 10 months old when his father passed away, so he was raised by a single mother with plenty of help from the older brothers and sisters.

He played sports at Coleman High and was a fantastic shortstop, so good that the Boston Red Sox offered him a professional contract to play in the minor leagues. But, he turned down the offer and joined the Army for 4 years in the early 1950s. He was stationed at Fort Hood, near Killeen, Texas, where he met his future bride Marelene Franklin in 1955. They married Aug 4, 1957, in Denton, Texas, where he attended college at North Texas State.

Gene became a father when Mike was born in November, 1958. Three months later Gene moved his young family to San Jose, California. 1962 was a busy year, as the Barnharts bought a house and Diane was born in August. Gene and Marelene lived there for almost 40 years, active in church, PTA, Little League and Girl Scouts. He had fun playing on men’s and co-ed softball teams with his son Mike and singing with the worship team at Community Church of God. A major highlight in San Jose was becoming a grandfather for the first time in 1985 – to Mike’s son Matthew. After a long career with Zellerbach Paper Company in South San Francisco, he and Marelene moved to a nice country home outside of Lebanon.

He loved his Oregon years, especially getting to be a part of the lives of Diane and her husband Ed’s sons, Gabriel, Joshua, Jerrad and Jordan. Although he was retired, he felt he needed to work, so he spent several years working at Safeway gas in Lebanon and at Walmart in Albany. He enjoyed times with Marelene at Turning Point Church, going on short trips throughout his new state and spending time with the families of his grandsons.

Survivors include Marelene Barnhart, his wife of 65 years, son Mike Barnhart (Judy), son-in-law Ed Casterline, grandchildren Matthew Barnhart (BrookeAnn), Stephen Johnson, Megan Simmons(Tyler), Gabriel (Ali) Casterline, Joshua Casterline (Marissa), Jerrad (Juliet) Casterline and Jordan Casterline, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Gene’s Christian faith gave him the belief that he would reunite in heaven with Diane, along with his parents, brothers and sisters in heaven.

If you wish to view the service, it can be viewed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/gene-barnhart

If you are unable to watch the service live, the recording will be on the about link immediately following the service.