She was born on February 16, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Arthur and Florence (Rummel) Clemens, and later made her home in Ashland, Ohio. Ila spent her life rooted in family, community, and service to others.
Ila retired from K-Mart, where she was known for her strong work ethic and friendly spirit. She also owned and managed Kool Lake Campground, a place that reflected her love of the outdoors and bringing people together.
An enthusiastic traveler, Ila especially enjoyed exploring the country in her mobile home and proudly visited every U.S. state except Hawaii. One of her most cherished adventures was the trip of a lifetime to Alaska. She loved being active outdoors, spending time fishing, and embracing new experiences.
Ila was deeply devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren. She rarely missed an opportunity to attend their sporting events and took great pride in supporting them. Artistic by nature, she enjoyed many hobbies, including ceramics, scrapbooking, and sewing.
A lifelong Cleveland Indians fan, Ila loved baseball and followed the sport with passion throughout her life. She also had a heart for serving children and her community, volunteering as a 4-H leader, assisting at wakeboarding events, and helping prepare meals for needy children at Rosie C. Ranch.
She is survived by her loving children, Pat Walton and Ray (Tina) Barnett; grandchildren, Cody Walton, Travis (Lacy) Walton, Jessica (Clint) See, and Justin Barnett; great-grandchildren, Henry Walton, Hazel See, and Holden See; brother-in-law, John Barnett; sister-in-law, Gretchen Clemens; and many cherished family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Grant Barnett; her parents; her siblings, Pearl Wohl, Ronnie Clemens, and Cloyd Clemons; and her granddaughter-in-law, Beth Walton.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Lions Community Center of Mifflin, 55 Maine St., Ashland, Ohio 44805.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ila’s honor to Ohio’s Hospice of Wooster.
Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services by Wappner is honored to serve the Barnett family.
