Phillip Dean Barnes

Phillip Dean Barnes was born on March 13, 1935, in Mishawaka, Indiana, and passed away on July 28, 2025, at The Waters in Wakarusa, Indiana. He was the son of Charles and Anna Barnes of Osceola, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles and Richard, and is survived by his sisters, Phyllis Osborne of Elkhart, Indiana, and Shirley (Gene) Heibert of Albany, Oregon.

Phil graduated from Jimtown High School in 1953 and proudly served in the U.S. Army. In 1954, while stationed in Germany, he was seriously injured during training maneuvers and was flown to Walter Reed Army Hospital with complete kidney failure. During more than 20 days of critical illness, Phil experienced a miraculous healing. From that moment on, his faith in the Lord became deeply personal and unwavering.

In 1956, Phil began his college education at Ball State University. He later transferred to Western Michigan University to be near JoAnn Warring, the love of his life. They both graduated in 1960 and were married on Dec. 28, 1959. Phil earned his master's degree from Ball State in 1961.

Phil began his teaching and coaching career in Tipton, Indiana, where he taught for two years before returning to the Jimtown community. There, he became a beloved teacher and coach. One of the highlights of his career came in 1974, when his gymnastics team won the Indiana State Championship.

Phil's spiritual life deepened further under the ministry of Pastor Vic Hildebrand at the Glad Farm, which later became Zion Chapel. It was there that Phil was filled with the Holy Spirit, and his love for Jesus and his faith in God's power to heal grew even stronger. In 1975, Maranatha Fellowship was formed, and Phil served faithfully as pastor for eight years. He lovingly led his congregation, but his compassion and passion for Christ extended far beyond the church walls. On any given day, Phil could be found praying with neighbors, comforting friends, and ministering wherever there was need.

He had a heart for missions and was blessed to share the love of Jesus through travel to South America, Costa Rica, Africa, Germany, Thailand, and China – where he even smuggled Bibles. Praying for people, sharing Jesus, and serving others brought him great joy.

Phil also found joy in his family, especially during summers spent at Bankson Lake. He was always working on a project, ready to pull skiers behind the boat or catch fish for dinner. His grandchildren treasure memories of fishing with Grandpa – and watching him clean every last fish.

In 2010, Phil was diagnosed with dementia. JoAnn lovingly cared for him at home until November 2022, when Phil was hospitalized with COVID-19. Afterward, he transferred to The Waters of Wakarusa for rehabilitation, where JoAnn visited daily. Phil was gentle and easy to care for, often known to pray for his nurses and aides. Though his memory faded, his love for Jesus remained. He sang hymns and scripture songs with joy and reverence, even in his final years.

Phil and JoAnn shared 65 beautiful years of marriage and raised three daughters: Wendy (Robert) Donegan of Elkhart, Indiana; Pamela (Cesar) Ruiz of Sachse, Texas; and Judy (Chad) Wenger of Queen Creek, Arizona. He was a proud grandfather to 10 beloved grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Wendy, Pam, and Judy – along with their husbands and children – are a living testimony to the strength, faith, and love of a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Phil is now home in the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. His legacy of faith, kindness, and service lives on in all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, with a funeral service at 2 p.m., all at Rieth Rohrer Ehret Lienhart Funeral Home, 117 W. Waterford St., Wakarusa, IN 46573. Burial will follow at Olive (West) Cemetery. Pastor Dennis Chaput will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be directed to RETA,116 W. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516, https://secure.qgiv.com/for/retapregnancyclinic.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com.