George W. Barnes passed away at age 93 on Oct. 18, 2011. Born in Williamsport, PA to a union master carpenter and his wife, he was the eldest of 14 children. George was a World War II veteran serving in France and Germany until he was shot in April 1945. George was the recipient of 2 Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star for combat leadership. After the war, he graduated from Lock Haven University, where he met his wife, Minnie Belt. George later received a Masters degree in education from Penn State, and spent his working life with the Clearfield and Moshannon Valley School Districts. Mr. Barnes was inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 for his longtime dedication to the youth of Clearfield. Instrumental in bringing Little League to Clearfield youth in 1949, he was also a part of the planning and building of the community and country club swimming pools. A man of high integrity, he instilled in his children and lived his life with a strong work ethic, a sense of right and wrong, and an acceptance and tolerance of all people.
George was an athlete throughout his life, as a lightweight boxer during college and in the service, and later, as a softball pitcher, tennis player, and golfer. He also enjoyed the many family softball and football games played on the field behind his house.
He will be missed by his wife of 64 years, Minnie, their 6 children and their families: Jacqueline; Valerie and husband Bill; Kenneth and wife Anne; Tracy and husband David; Scott and wife Margaret; and Brian. Also surviving are grandchildren, Rebecca, Jennifer and husband Ben, Leanne, Curt, Patrick, Maddie, and Kate, and great grandchildren, Aslynn, Bryce, Christian, and Micayla. George is survived by siblings Ada; Virginia, Kenneth and wife Geraldine; Don and wife Kay; Gene and wife Barb; Melvin and wife Doris; Marlin and wife Carolee; and many nieces, nephews, and their children. George will also be missed by Minnie’s siblings, Helen and husband Loyal; Edna and husband Bill; Ruth and husband Jim; Lynn; David; and Norman and wife Johnie, and their families.
Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield on Thursday, from 6-8 p.m. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Clearfield Foundation for Health-Hospice, PO Box 992, Clearfield or your local Little League Baseball organization.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.
