Walter Elmer Barndt

Walter Elmer “Jake” Barndt, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, which would have been his wife, Lucy’s 87th birthday. Born July 11, 1927 in Quakertown, PA., he was one of Abraham Paul Barndt and Grace Hazel Shelley Barndt’s nine children.

Walter was raised in the Mennonite Church in Quakertown, East Swamp Mennonite Church. He went to Omaha Bible College to become a pastor; however, he eventually returned home to help his father with the family moving business. Upon relocation to Florida, he became a member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church of West Palm Beach until the mid 1990’s.

Walter worked for the family business, A. Paul Barndt & Sons Moving and Storage until proudly joining the US Marine Corps during World War II. While he was eager to enlist, he never saw “action” because right after boot camp, the war ended. After the Marines, Walter returned to his truck driving passion by working for Wheaton Van Lines and U & Me Transfer which proved to fill Walter’s life with adventures and “action” driving 18 wheelers all over the East coast to the Mississippi River. Even in retirement, he continued to “drive” in his dreams.

In 1945, Walter married Betty Rupert and they had one daughter, Judith Ann. Though, shortly after, they divorced. In 1948, Walter met Lucy Trout Rieker; and on May 22, 1950 in Elkton, MD they were wed. Walter and Lucy had 4 children, (Faith A, Gary L, Cheryl L, and Walter A). Walter, Lucy, and their 4 children relocated to West Palm Beach, FL from Quakertown, PA in 1967.

Walter is predeceased by his wife, Lucy T. Rieker Barndt; his parents, Abraham Paul and Grace Hazel Shelly Barndt; and siblings, Abraham Paul, Henry Franklin, William, Robert, Edward and Florence. He is also predeceased by his grandson, Zachary David Kitchens.

Walter is survived by his two sisters: AnnaMary (Barndt) Rotenberger and Jacqueline (Barndt) Yeakel; Brothers-in-law: Robert Rieker (Catharine Nix), and Larry K Rieker (Arlene Mead). Walter is also survived by his children: Judith A. (Barndt) Stevens, Faith A. Barndt, Gary L. Barndt (Margaret Krueger), Cheryl L. (Barndt) Kitchens (David), and Walter A “Butch” Barndt (Teresa Driscoll); also nine dearly loved grandchildren: Andrew Stevens, and Sue Stevens Carraghan; Jennifer (Barndt) Clark (Jon), and Jeffrey Barndt (Jennifer Turner), Heather (Barndt Kitchens) Delgado (Ray), Breann (Kitchens) Gardner (Cochran), Collin Barndt, and Travis Justin Barndt; and, nine great-grandchildren: Corey Stevens and Erin Stevens; Bailey Clark and Caleb Clark; Jacqueline Delgado; Trey Barndt and Olivia Barndt; Rachel Carraghan and Zachary Carraghan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Walter will also be sadly missed by Barbara Felice, his “daughter” for over 20 yrs. Walter is leaving behind many friends he has had for over 7 decades: Lee Krecl, Lee Clymer, Catherine Troost, Laurel Kuhfeldt, Don Troxel, Mort Kaiser, Ruth Noack, and Mae and Robert Wolfinger.