Obituary: Ralph Barnes

Ralph Barnes passed from this life Oct. 6, 2024. He was 65 years old. Ralph was born in Hamilton to Frank and Sylvia (Pitman) Barnes on Jan. 16, 1959 and lived his entire life here in Butler County, educated in the Talawanda and Butler County Joint Vocational school districts. With diploma in hand, he embarked on what would be a fruitful career as a machinist, working precisely and faithfully for 30-plus years.

When Ralph wasn’t carving metal, he enjoyed the shooting sports. For decades, he and his dad were regulars at the local turkey shoots, often bringing home the bacon – or the turkey or the ham.

In 1988, Ralph found Mary and her family, and made Mary his bride. Together, they loved and served their family for 27 years. After Mary’s passing in 2016, Ralph carried on. Many could testify to his love for the family he adopted, and who adopted him.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and by Mary, also by an older brother, Frank Jr., whom he had not met until this past Sunday night. He was also preceded by daughter Tammy Clarkston and son Jeff Stacy. He is survived by son-in-law Jimmy Clarkston and daughter-in-law Jenn Stacy, loving cousins on his parents’ sides, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many friends and admirers. The loss of his faithful service and friendship is a loss to all of us – a loss we look to be redeemed in the resurrection Jesus secured for the faithful.

On Ralph’s behalf, his family and friends wish to extend thanks to many, and especially Shannon, who made it possible for him to stay in his beloved childhood home in Hanover Township right up until the last several days. Home is good.

This obituary was originally published on the website of Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home and has been edited for length.