Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 30, 2009

The 41st BARNHART reunion was held Sunday, July 19, 2009, at Fife's Park north of Mount Ayr.

Those 27 family members present were Larry and Donna WILSON of Batavia; Elaine BOLINGER of Sharpsburg; Teena OUSCH of Newton; Cliff (Bud) and Patty BARNHART, Jon and Angie RUPP and daughter D.J. MOORE, all of Essex; Sarah, Preston and Garret CARPENTER of Riverton; Evelyn JACKSON and Sandy WHITE, both of Grand River;

Melanie JACKSON of West Des Moines; Beckey and Andy McALEXANDER of Ellston; Burl STILL and Edna BAKER of Mount Ayr; J.W. and Betty (ROACH) ROBERTSON, Sam and Renea BAKER, Bobbie and Bre PETERMAN and Willie BAKER, all of Redding, and Debbie ROACH of Delphos.

Two couples, Jon and Angie RUPP and Beckey and Andy McALEXANDER were congratulated in their recent marriages.

The senior BARNHART, Clara Agnes SWIHART, and oldest daughter Joyce Ann PERKINS, were not able to come this year. Both family members were dearly missed and warm written greetings were sent.

In the past year they have lost Carol (BARNHART) MEYERS, Henry BARNHART and Blaine SCOTT. Blaine's wife, Bonnie, currently resides at Clearview in Mount Ayr.

The second anniversary of their dearly departed sister, Rita Marlene MANTZ, was acknowledged. Family reunions were most important to Rita and she always encouraged family members to attend the yearly gatherings. Rita was the BARNHART reunion secretary along with her mother, Agnes. In addition, Rita and Elaine were the first family members in Iowa who began the family genealogy. All want to acknowledge them and all appreciate them for their forethought to preserve in written form the family roots.

Next year everyone is to bring either their favorite cookbook and/or recipes to share with others. That might be one way to learn of Evelyn's secret to her famous chicken and homemade noodles!

In 41 years, no one could recall when they had a more beautiful cool breezy July day.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012