Doris E Barnhart

Doris E. Barnhart was born in Centralia, Missouri, to Bourbon LeRoy and Thelma Jewell (Alspach) Esteppe. She was raised in Sturgeon, where her parents owned and operated the Sturgeon Leader. As a young girl working around the newspaper office, Doris once complained to her father about the ink on her hands. He told her that once she got ink in her blood, she would be in journalism for the rest of her life. He was right. She graduated from Sturgeon High School in 1954 as salutatorian of her class, and journalism became not simply her occupation, but her life's work.

In 1972, Doris joined the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, where she would serve for 26 years before retiring in 1998. During her tenure, she became an essential force behind Missouri's scholastic journalism programs. She coordinated statewide workshops, supported advisers and student publications, and helped shape programs that impacted generations of young journalists. Even after retirement, she continued to serve, returning to assist with events and workshops because her commitment to journalism education never ended.

Doris also held a significant leadership role with the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, helping guide the organization through a period of national growth and transition. Her administrative leadership strengthened membership operations, conference planning, and organizational structure at a pivotal time. Her work earned her formal recognition for Outstanding Administrative Service and distinguished service to journalism education. In 2013, she was honored with a lifetime achievement award recognizing decades of unwavering dedication to journalism and education in the state of Missouri.

Her professional legacy was one of stability, excellence, and quiet authority. Doris was not simply employed in journalism. She helped build and sustain the institutions that supported it.

Outside of her professional life, Doris was deeply involved in her church, where she sang in the choir, served on the Board of Trustees, and chaired the auditing committee. She was a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving multiple terms as Worthy Matron and later as Associate Matron of Boone Chapter No. 290. In 2010, she was appointed Grand Electa of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was appointed Grand Representative of Massachusetts in Missouri in 2005. She also held leadership roles within the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, including Worthy High Priestess and Worthy Scribe for 16 years, and served as President of the Missouri State White Shrine Club. In addition, she served as Noble Grand of the Athens Rebekah Lodge in Columbia, Grand Matriarch of the Ladies Encampment Auxiliary, and was a member of Sunshine Court Order of the Amaranth in St. Louis.

Doris enjoyed photography and bowling, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and treasured every gathering.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald C. Barnhart; her parents, Bourbon LeRoy and Thelma Jewell (Alspach) Esteppe; her grandparents, Bourbon and Mary Esteppe and Brown and Mamie Alspaugh; her daughter in law, Judy Barnhart; and her sister, Elizabeth Jean.

She is survived by her children Jesse G. (Sharon) Barnhart, Donald C. Barnhart, Michael W. Barnhart, Robert L. Barnhart, Sandra K. Kidwell, and Rhonda L. (Danny) Beaman; her grandchildren Lorri, Michael (Kim), Erika, Courtney (Caleb), Daniel (Rachel), Zachary (Ceslie), Elizabeth, John (Kaitlin), Cody, Kelsey, and Christopher (Amanda); and her great grandchildren Sirr Julian, Selah, Maximus, Jacob, Ethan, Kamerin, Koltin, Kindal, Kierstin, Odette, Adelynn, Conner, Blake, and Noah.

Services will be held Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Parker Millard Funeral Service and Crematory. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Centralia Cemetery in Centralia, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Doris E. Barnhart Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop Fund at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Gifts may be made online at giving.missouri.edu by selecting "Make a Gift" and searching "Barnhart" in the designation section, or by mailing a check payable to the University of Missouri, noting the Doris E. Barnhart Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop Fund in the memo line.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Millard Funeral Service and Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, Missouri 65203, 573 449 4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.