Marianne Elizabeth Barnhart

Marianne Elizabeth {Frank} Barnhart, age 88, of Tipp City, Ohio, passed away peacefully in hospice care on June 1, 2023.  A native Ohioan, Marianne proudly called Tipp City home for her last 22 years.  Marianne built friendships that lasted her lifetime in Ohio and Florida, and she lived a faithful life as a wife, mother, friend, teacher and servant of the Church.  She was born in Akron on August 11, 1934 to the late Emery Wheeler and Vera Tamzon (Hawk) Frank.  She graduated from North High School in 1952 and attended Wittenberg College where she met her future husband, Norman Eugene Barnhart of Tipp City, who predeceased Marianne, passing away in October, 2022.  Upon Marianne’s graduation from Wittenberg in 1956, she and Norm married and moved to Marianne’s hometown of Akron where she started her teaching career in the same elementary school she attended as a student, Findley Elementary.  The family then moved to Cuyahoga Falls, where Marianne and Norm together raised sons Mark (Janice), Eric (Barbara) and daughter Jeannette (Pat) and were members of Trinity Lutheran Church.  The family moved to Winter Park, FL in 1974, where Marianne resumed her educational staff roles at Wekiva Elementary in Longwood, FL.

Marianne served the church for over 55 years as a member and leader of the Altar Guild at Trinity Lutheran in Akron, OH; Redeemer Lutheran in Winter Park, FL;  Ascension Lutheran in Casselberry, FL; and Zion Lutheran Church in Tipp City, OH.  Marianne and Norm relocated to Tipp City in 2001, where they called SpringMeade home before spending their last two years at Randall Residence.  Marianne enjoyed precious time with her grandchildren and dear friends old and new.  She and Norm enjoyed travel overseas and at home (including snowmobiling!), exploring her beloved Ohio and reading English history.  They volunteered with Tipp elementary, enjoyed brunch at American Legion Post 586 in Tipp, Fridays at Harrison’s and other treasured places in Miami County, and she served on the Board of the Tippecanoe Historical Society.

In addition to her parents and husband, Marianne was predeceased by her brother, George Emery Frank of Greensburg, KY.   She is survived by her children and their spouses along with sister-in-law Anne Herbert Frank of Greensburg; brothers-in-law Bruce (Nancy) of Grand Rapids, MI;  Michael (Dixie) of Centerville;  sisters-in-law Beverly Steele of Englewood, Kay Baker of Urbana, and Becky Oda (John) of Springfield;  granddaughter Robin Devor (Scott) of Austin, TX; and grandsons Andrew Barnhart of San Diego, CA and Patrick Barnhart of Atlanta, GA;  as well as great-granddaughters Hannah, Elizabeth, Lydia and Abigail Devor and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023 beginning at 10:30 AM until the time of service at 11:30 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church, 14 W. Walnut St., Tipp City, OH 45371. Pastor Dale Schaefer officiating. The family would like to invite guests to join them for a luncheon at the church following the memorial service. Marianne and Norman will be laid to rest at a later date in Akron, Ohio at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marianne’s honor to the following worthy organizations: Tippecanoe Historical Society: Please mail check to: Tippecanoe Historical Society, PO Box 42, Tipp City, OH 45371; Zion Lutheran Church: Donate online at https://ziontippcity.org/giving/ or to 14 W. Walnut St., Tipp City, OH 45371; Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton: Donate online at https://www.hospiceofdayton.org/donations/ or make check to Ohio’s Hospice Foundation, and mail to Ohio’s Hospice, 7575 Paragon Rd., Dayton, OH 45459.

Arrangements have been entrusted to FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME, Tipp City. Online condolences may be expressed at www.fringsandbayliff.com.