James "Jim" Robert Barnhouse died Saturday, Dec. 10 in Union Hospital at Dover. He was born January 25, 1925, in Brookside, OH, a son of H.E. and Stella Barnhouse. He graduated from Bridgeport High School and Ohio Wesleyan University and earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Cincinnati.
He served his country in World War II in the 326th Glider Infantry Division, earning a Bronze Battle Star. In 1951, he began practicing law at Sani and Barnhouse Law Firm in downtown New Philadelphia. In 2001 he was presented with a framed certificate from the Ohio Bar Association honoring him for his 50 years of ethical law practice. He continued to practice law until he suffered a stroke in August of this year.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of New Philadelphia; Tuscarawas County Council for Church and Community (T-4- C), where he served as treasurer for many years; lifetime member and past president of the Lions Club, earning a Melvin Jones award for his service; lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Tuscarawas County Bar Association and Ohio State Bar Association; and he previously served on the New Philadelphia City Park Board for over 25 years.
On Sept. 6, 1948, he married Elizabeth (“Libby”) McKeen, and together they raised three children who survive: J. Robert (“Bob”) Barnhouse II and his wife, Shirley; Sarah (“Sally”) Huth and her husband Chris; and Jane Barnhouse; also surviving are grandchildren, James, Michael and Patrick Barnhouse and Samantha, Joseph and Betty Huth; great-grandchildren, Ruby, Michael and Abbagail Barnhouse; and a very dear friend, Anna Lee Brendza.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Libby, on April 8, 1986; a sister, Mary Lee Sapp; and two brothers, H.E “Junior,” who was killed in World War II, and John.
Upon hearing of his death, a colleague said, “Jim Barnhouse was a truly great lawyer. I wish I could have been as great a lawyer as he was.”
Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Mark Unrue officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.
Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.
Contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to T-4-C, 1458 5th Street NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Linn-Hert-Geib
330-343-5506
www.geibcares.com
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