Lloyd J. Barnhart

Lloyd J. Barnhart, age 74 of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 10:41 am on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, surrounded by his three loving children.

Born on October 28, 1950, at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida, to Lloyd and Dorothy (Brassett) Barnhart, Sr. They would live in Lowell, Mass., for a few years during his youth before settling in Columbia City. 

Lloyd attended Columbia City Joint High School and would later earn his GED in 2005.

He was a long-time Columbia City resident and served for the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War from 1968-69.

On May 23, 1970, Lloyd married Karen Adams in the parsonage at Grace Lutheran Church, Columbia City. They celebrated 53 years of marriage in 2023 before her September passing of last year. He would attend Merriam Christian Chapel, in Merriam, IN, with Karen.

He served several years as nighttime store manager at Scott’s Grocery in Columbia City, would later work at Columbia City High School and then retire from Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Lloyd was a sports fanatic and had immense love of sports. He coached youth softball and baseball during his children’s younger years as he passed along his interest in sports to his kids. His grandchildren would all go on to play high school sports.

Lloyd was a member of VFW Post#5582 and American Legion Post #98, Columbia City.

Survivors include his children Virginia (Justin) Riffe of Wolf Lake, Dan (Karla) Barnhart of South Whitley, and Matthew (Amy) Barnhart of Brownstown, MI; grandchildren Tyler, Piper, Derek, Harper, and Logan; sisters Connie Levitz of Columbia City and Patricia Messenger of Florida. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Dorothy Barnhart, Sr., brother William Barnhart, sister Betty Kidd, and wife Karen Barnhart.

Friends may call on Wednesday November 13, 2024, from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services for Lloyd will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City, with military honors.

Memorial contributions in memory of Lloyd may be made to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana. 

On September 13, 2023, Lloyd was a veteran on the Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana Flight #44. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations made to the organization to assist the nonprofit and its continued dedication to serving veterans. Visit www.hfnei.org to donate.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.