Marjorie Jean Barnhart was born August 6, 1922. She was the first child of three born to Gladys Estella (Payne) and Henry Lee “Hank” Martin on the family farm two miles west of Watson, Missouri near the old river town of Sonora, where her brother, Bud, currently resides.

She attended Sunny Grove Country School located across the road from her house. She then attended Watson High School, graduating in 1939 as Valedictorian of her class.

On September 21, 1940 Marjorie was united in marriage to Willis Lee “Kearney” Barnhart. They moved to Omaha, Nebraska and worked for the Martin Bomber Plant during World War II. They returned to Watson where they purchased their family farm northeast of Watson. They raised two children, Joy LeJean and Byron Jack. The later moved to Watson where Marjorie made her beloved home. Following Kearney’s death in 2001, she became a resident of Pleasant View Care Center, Rock Port, Missouri in 2004. Marjorie passed away January 25, 2013 at Fairfax Community Hospital at the age of 90 years.

Marjorie, “Marj” as she was referred to by her host of family and friends, was a member of the Sonora Chapter 206 of Eastern Star.

Her passions in life included spending time with her children and grandchildren, cooking meals for family, painting, gardening, traveling and researching genealogy.

Besides her parents and husband, Marjorie was preceded in death by brother, Jack Martin, and sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Martin and Vyvyan Martin. Survivors include one son, Byron Barnhart and daughter-in-law Darlene, and one daughter Joy Barnhart all of Rock Port; seven grandchildren; Steven Barnhart, Laguna Niguel, California, Jodi Hendrickson, Hamburg, Iowa, Robert Barnhart, Rock Port, Michael Barnhart, Watson, Allen Paget, Branson, Missouri, John and James Barnhart, Rock Port; nine great grandchildren, Tanah and Teagan Barnhart, Tuesday, Martin, and Augustus Leseberg, McKenna Barnhart, Ryllee Barnhart, and Lea and Jozie Hendrickson; one great-great grandchild, Jenna Hall; one brother Harold “Bud” Martin, Watson; one sister-in-law Doris Bemberger, Lamita, California; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral Service: 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 29, 2013, Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri.
Interment: High Creek Cemetery, Watson.
Memorials: High Creek Cemetery, Watson.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 1:50 P.M., Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.