Colleen Barnhard

When reflecting on the life of Colleen Barnhard, it is easy to see that her focus was never fixed on building wealth or accumulating possessions, but that her mission in life was to do everything she could to give to those around her. She was a devoted wife and selfless mother who was overjoyed to see her family tree grow to include not only grandchildren, but also great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, too. Life was not always easy for Colleen, but she carried herself with a quiet strength coupled with gentle grace that provides us all with much to aspire for. With a life that spanned times of great change around her, she created a brilliant mosaic of memories that will be a lasting treasure for generations to come. The decade that is often referred to as the Roaring Twenties was a great time to be an American. In 1928 we were introduced to Mickey Mouse, witnessed the transformation of the medical field with the discovery of penicillin, and cheered on aviator Amelia Earhart as she became the first woman to pilot across the Atlantic. This same year was greeted with great anticipation by a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, as they were awaiting the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over on May 18th when the baby girl they named Colleen Carmen made her arrival. She was the oldest of three girls born to her parents, Lester and Josephine (Colella) Moore, and was raised in the family home in Muskegon alongside her sisters, Angela and Georgia. Her father worked as a bricklayer while her mother was a homemaker. During her elementary years Colleen attended St. Jeans Catholic Church with her family and was a student St. Jeans School. Some time later, Colleens parents divorced, which sent her mother to Detroit with Colleen and her sisters. These were the days of WWII when much of our nations focus was on supporting the war effort. Colleens mother did this through her work in a Detroit factory. While her mother was at work Colleen often had to watch her younger sisters. These days were not always easy, but they were days that shaped her into the extraordinary woman that she one day became. With the end of WWII in 1945 their family moved back to Muskegon where Colleen attended Muskegon High School through the 11th grade. Life was forever changed for Colleen when she met a man named Fred Weber. After dating for a time they found themselves in love. Colleen and Fred were married, and together they were blessed with a daughter they named Deborah in 1947. Although the marriage ended in divorce after a couple of years, Colleen was given full custody of their daughter after a difficult fight. For a time mother and daughter lived with family. Brighter days were on the horizon for Colleen when she met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Merle Barnhard, and they met while roller skating at Curvecrest Roller Rink in Muskegon. With a desire to build a life together the couple eloped to Indiana and was married on July 5th, 1951. The following year Colleen gave birth to their son, Jeffrey, but their joy soon turned to sorrow as he was born with multiple birth defects and lived only three months. The family eventually settled into house on Jackson Hill where they welcomed daughter Nancy in 1953, son Merle Chops in 1957, and son Dean in 1960. Needing more space, their family later moved to a house on Houston Avenue in downtown Muskegon before setting out in Muskegon Township. Merle worked at the paper mill while Colleen worked as a cook at various restaurants around town through the years. Colleen also worked as a cashier at several area grocery stores including Govs Market and as a custodian at the Muskegon Eagles and at Bob-Hi Lanes. Ready to spend more time with her family, she retired in her sixties. There were many things that enriched Colleens life through the years. Stock car racing was something the whole family enjoyed as Saturday nights during racing season found Merle and the boys in the pits at Thunderbird Raceway or other local tracks while Colleen was in the stands. She kept a notebook of all the times from the time trials, and she also mastered the art of penny pinching, which provided Dean with some extra money to pay for car parts and repairs. Although this was a sport her boys got into as adults, Colleen was still one of their biggest fans. She liked to go bowling, often at the Muskegon Eagles, Northway Lanes, or Bob-Hi, and she was on several leagues, too. Both Colleen and Merle were active at the Muskegon Eagles where she held all of the offices in the Women's Auxiliary including president. She was also a member of their drill team. Colleens daughter, Nancy, also joined the drill team as an adult. Of course Colleen was overjoyed to become a grandmother and made herself available to babysit as often as she could. Later in life Colleen continued to embrace the days she was given. When Merle began having some health issues, he moved to a nursing home while Colleen went to live with Nancy for a few years. She eventually moved into the same nursing home with Merle. After Merles death in 2010 Colleen spent most of her years at Brookhaven Nursing Home in Muskegon where she was well loved by the staff and fellow patients. Not surprisingly, Colleen was always trying to help other patients there in any way she could until her death. She will be honored as a dedicated fan of Thunderbird Raceway in a ceremonial checkered flag run around the track with her sons and other racers participating in her memory. A woman of courage, compassion, and selfless love, Colleen Barnhard was a true gift in the lives of those around her. She never took one moment for granted and experienced so many of the best things life has to offer. Colleen was passionate about her interests, yet nothing was more near and dear to her heart than spending time with her friends and loved ones. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered. Colleen C. Barnhard died on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Colleens family includes her sons, Merle "Chops" Barnhard of Muskegon, Dean (Missy) Barnhard of Muskegon; daughters, Deborah (John) Stolcenburg, of Muskegon, Nancy (Jim) Kolar of Muskegon, 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Angela (Jerry) Ramage of Muskegon. Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; son, Jeffrey; granddaughters, Colleen Abbey & Shana Vanas; sister, Georgia. Services will be held on Monday, October 1, 2012, 1:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.