Ruth Joan Barnard

Toot retired from Bath Community Schools after driving school bus for over 35 years. She was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett, involved in women’s ministries and bible study. Toot was spunky, strong in spirit, and generous. Toot enjoyed quilting, family dinners, playing cards, watching the Detroit Tigers and Michigan State Spartans, boating at the lake, but most of all, she loved her family and friends. A big highlight of her year was hosting the Barber Family Reunion at her home for 24 consecutive years to celebrate her love of family.

Here to cherish Toot’s memory are sons James (Patty) Barnard and John (Andrea) Barnard; stepsons Hal Kuisel, Kevin Kuisel, and Jon Kuisel; grandchildren Nickolas Barnard, Hillary Carrel, Joseph Barnard, Montana (Tyler) Desprez, and Westin Barnard; step-grandchildren Alex, Steven, Ashley, Grace, and Angel Kuisel; great-grandchildren Addison Barnard, Ellie Lilly, Penelope Carrel, and Isyla Barnard; sisters Arla Stephan, Nila Gabriel, and Donna Otter, sister-in-law Lorraine Barber; and her countless loving extended family and friends.

Toot is preceded in death by her parents, Elroy and Calla Barber; husband Robert Forrest Barnard and then Harold “Buck” Kuisel; brothers Ernie Barber, Wayne Barber, and Robert Barber; and sisters Betty Nowlin, Reta Papendick, and Mary Dutton.

Visitations will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 4 to 8 pm at Gorsline Runciman DeWitt Chapel.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 11 am with visitation beginning at 9:30 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett.