Karen Jean Barnhart, 67, of Henderson, Nevada and previously, Fulton, MO, passed away on January 24, 2020. A celebration of life will be held at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton, Missouri on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm. The family will receive guests from 2:00-3:00 pm until the time of the service.
Karen was born on May 18, 1952 in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was the daughter of Calvin A. Erhardt and Verna A. (Medler) Erhardt. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Stevie.
She was a 1970 graduate of Jefferson City High School and a 1974 graduate of Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education and Health. Upon graduation from college, she taught Physical Education at the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville, Kentucky from 1974-1978. In 1979, she began teaching at the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton, Missouri, where she taught Physical Education, Health and coached for 27 years until her retirement in 2006. She moved to Jefferson City in 2010 to care for her father until he passed in 2013 and then moved to Henderson, NV to be close and to care for her three grandchildren who lived there.
Survivors include two sons; Matthew Barnhart and his wife Amanda of Columbia, Missouri, Kris Barnhart of Henderson, Nevada and one step-son, Billy Barnhart and his wife Krissy of Columbia, Missouri. Karen is also survived by 4 grandchildren; Alexis Daro of New Bloomfield, Missouri, Braden Barnhart, Colin Barnhart, and Angela Arbogast all of Henderson, Nevada. Karen has 3 surviving siblings; Richard Erhardt of and the late Jean Erhardt of Jefferson City, Missouri, Janice Kelly and her husband Dale, of Foristell, Missouri and Lisa Burns and her husband Dan of Burlington, Kentucky. Included in this list are many nieces, nephews, cousins, three aunts, and many longtime friends who loved her dearly.
Karen was very proud of her proficiency in sign language and was always trying to teach us novices how to sign. Her life totally, completely and lovingly revolved around her grandchildren. She was very much devoted to her family and friends. Karen was always willing to travel when the chance arose.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Missouri School for the Deaf student activity fee in care of Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, Missouri 65251.
