Barbara Elaine Harnetty, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep March 29th, 2023. She was born June 17th, 1941. She was the first of a family of eight born to John H. and Ada K. Eckard. As you can imagine, being the first of eight, Barbara took her role of helper to her siblings very seriously. Barbara graduated from Amanda-Clearcreek High School and married her husband Charles Samuel Harnetty June 19th, 1965. They lived a full life in Perry County, being involved in many activities. I’m sure everyone has a “Sam and Elaine” story to tell. Barbara retired after 33 years with Anchor Hocking in Lancaster, Ohio. She worked in many areas for Anchor but took her role as Union Steward very seriously, once again being placed in the “helper” role. Barbara never liked to be alone; if she wasn’t with family or friends, you would find a pet nearby, including many dog companions throughout the years but more recently, her cats. She loved her pets just like humans.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Barbara is preceded in death by two sisters, Peggy Bosworth and Nancy Peters and a brother, John Eckard, as well as two sisters-in-law, Marie Beard and Margaret Schmehl; brothers-in-law, Robert, Clarence. Paul, Francis and James Harnetty, and several nieces.
She is survived by sisters Kay Snider, Pamela Baer, and Jean Eckard, and brother Sammie Eckard, as well as by all of her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews who all share great, fond memories of the head of the family “helper.” Barbara also had many close friends, too numerous to mention.
Friends may call from 3:00 till 6:00 p.m. Monday, April 3rd at the Chute-Wiley Funeral Home, 118 S. Jackson Street, New Lexington, Ohio, 43764, and also on Tuesday, April 4th at the funeral home from 11:00 am till 1:00 p.m., with funeral services starting at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at St.Patrick’s Cemetery in Junction City, Ohio. There will be a reception at the American Legion in Junction City, Ohio afterward. Please join us to celebrate a life well lived!
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