William Allen Barnhart

William Allen Barnhart

William Allen Barnhart, 86, of Avon Lake and formerly of Elyria, died Thursday, July 29, 2010 at EMH Regional Medical Center.

He was born October 12, 1923 in Frederic, WI and married Alice Marie Larsen July 29, 1944 in Superior, WI. He was a resident of Elyria from 1964 until moving to Avon Lake in 2003.

Bill served with the U.S. Army in WWII as a member of Merrills Marauders in the jungles of Burma. He was in the first convoy on the Ledo Rd. into China to support Chiang Kai-shek forces to which he was attached. After 23 years of service, he retired in 1966 as the United States Army recruiter in Elyria, with the rank of First Sergeant.

He then managed the Ohio Job Service office on Middle Ave. in Elyria, until retiring in 1986. He was a member of Elyria American Legion Post 12, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Elyria and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

William is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice; sons David (Sally nee Ferguson) of Ligonier, PA, Donald (Debbie) of Marietta, OH and Steven (Toni nee Weitzel) of Avon; three grandsons; seven great grandchildren; sister Glenda Gwin of Capitola, CA; special nieces Ann Shumate of Minneapolis, MN, Beth nee Shumate (Don) Olson of Superior, WI and nieces and nephews in California, Washington, Colorado, Nevada and Georgia.

A graveside service for the family will be held at Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria with Reverend Paul E. Jaster officiating. Elyria V.F.W. #1079 will conduct military honors at the grave

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 360 Princeton Ave., Elyria, OH 44035. Dicken Funeral Home, Elyria is in charge of arrangements.

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