Shirley Barnhart 1930-2015 The October 29th death of one of God's earthly angels, Shirley Barnhart, 85, ended, after 63 years and nine months, the earthly portion of a marriage and a story book romance described by family and many friends as truly made in heaven. She leaves a heart broken husband, Gene, five grieving daughters and their husbands: Sheryl and John Dickey, Debbie and Kim Orians, Taffie Elise and Tony Knight, Pami and Michael Dean, and Margie Barnhart and fiancé Michael Bartko, 11 grandchildren who she loved and delighted in: Zeb and Zack Barnhart Atkinson, Alex and Alyssa Orians, Matt and Josh Dickey, Michael, Mia and Me Li Dean, Brandon and Kristi Knight, and great granddaughter Juliet McWilliam. Born and educated in Steubenville, Shirley became a legal secretary. She and Gene married and lived in Cincinnati while Gene attended and graduated from law school. When daughter Sheryl arrived, in Shirley's words, "I was promoted to the best job in the world, mother and homemaker". She credited her belief in Jesus for making her a "loving, supportive wife and a loving, understanding, supportive, encouraging, and sympathetic Mom". And the adoration and love of husband and family demonstrates that she performed her work well. She strongly supported traditional values and taught her daughters accordingly. In her younger years, she was an avid flower gardener and had the artistic ability to create beautiful and greatly admired floral arrangements. That artistic ability was also demonstrated by her numerous exquisite gift and Christmas wrappings. A cultured, elegant, beautiful yet unpretentious woman, she was loved by many for her sincere and keen interest in them. Amazingly physically beautiful, even into her 80's, she was as beautiful inside because she truly cared for others. Blessed with a lightening quick sense of humor, she had her family laughing on Tuesday as it appeared her fight to recover would be successful. She had fought for 55 continuous days of hospitalization and skilled nursing home care, all without one word of complaint but with the oft repeated desire to recover and go home to Gene. But it was not to be. This precious, resolute lady could fight no longer and was called by her Savior to her Heavenly home, there to await the future arrival of Gene. Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7 P.M. in the Spiker-Foster-Shriver Funeral Home, 4817 Cleveland Ave. N.W. Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday in Whipple Avenue Baptist Church, 191 Whipple Ave. N.W. with Pastors David Denny and John Moosey officiating. Interment will follow in North Lawn Cemetery. If so desired contributions may be made to Whipple Avenue Baptist Church. Please sign the guest book.