James W. H. "Jim" Barnes

1931 - 2026

James W. H. "Jim" Barnes, 94, of Petrolia, a lifelong, well-known Petroleum Valley resident, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, Feb. 19, 2026, in the comfort of his home, while surrounded by his loving wife and family.
James was born in Fairview Township, Butler County, on June 28, 1931. He was the son of the late Charles G. and Gladys A. Claypoole Barnes.
He was a 1950 graduate of Fairview Township-Karns City High School. Jim attended California State University and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal in 1954.
In his early years, Jim was employed as a draftsman at Pullman Standard in Butler. He was later employed at Witco Chemical in Petrolia and as the plant manager at Allegheny Plastics. In 1983, Jim was employed as the site manager for the new Karns City Area High School. He retired as the construction supervisor at Penreco in Karns City in 1994. Jim, along with his first wife, Leona, owned and operated Barnes Upholstery for many years.
He was a member of Scrubgrass Stone Church in Emlenton. He was a life member of the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department, served the department as treasurer for 40 years and was the department's ambulance supervisor for eight years. Jim was also a member of the North Washington Fire Department. He was a member and past president of the Butler EMS Council and served as a member of the 911 communications council.
He was a 46-year member of Argyle Masonic Lodge No. 540 F&AM of Chicora, Parker VFW Post No. 7073, Bradys Bend American Legion Post No. 488 and was a life member of Chicora Moose Lodge. He served as a deputy game warden, a certified hunter's safety instructor and was a proud member of the National Rifle Association.
James was preceded in death by his first wife, Leona M. Mackey Barnes, on Jan. 15, 2005. The couple was married on Aug. 14, 1954.
He is survived by his wife, Rita I. "Renie" Schnitzki Stewart Barnes, whom he married at the Petrolia Presbyterian Church on Oct. 25, 2008. Also surviving are his son, Charles W. Barnes and his wife, Cindy, of Petrolia; his daughter, Barbara G. McCollough and her husband, Mike, of Bruin; a stepdaughter, Tracy Cunningham and her husband, Dirk, of Greensburg; a stepson, Kevin "Dude" Stewart and his wife, Kelly, of Callensburg; five grandchildren, Bethany Simaan and her husband, Mark, Morgan McCollough, Jessica Barnes, James Barnes (Alysha Bricker) and Jacob Barnes; his great-grandchildren, Henry Michael and Claire Maxine Simaan; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Darrel I. Barnes and Grace V. Barnes Neff; a brother-in-law, Michael Neff; as well as a number of other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
BARNES - Friends of James W. H. "Jim" Barnes, who died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF KARNS CITY, 128 Main St., Karns City.
Military honors will be accorded by members of the Bradys Bend and Chicora American Legion posts at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Members of the Argyle Masonic Lodge No. 540 F&AM of Chicora will conduct a memorial service for their departed brother at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the funeral home with the Rev. Dennis Barger, pastor of Scrubgrass Stone Church in Emlenton, officiating.
Interment will be at Hillview Cemetery in the village of Kepples Corners.
Memorial contributions in Jim's name may be made to Scrubgrass Stone Church, 105 Quick Lane, Emlenton PA 16373.
To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.