Dixie Ann (Warner) Barnhart of Centerville, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on September 26, 2026. She was born on December 8, 1944, in Piqua, Ohio, to Russel and Virginia Warner. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Michael; her sister, Kate (Merlin) Baker of Pleasant Hill, Ohio (Brian Baker and Mindy Battles); and her sister, Brenda (Dick) Netzley of Centerville, Ohio (Ann and Isaiah Hollins). Also, her brother-in-law, Bruce Barnhart of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and her sisters-in-law, Beverly Steel of Englewood, Ohio; Kay Baker of Urbana, Ohio; and Becky Oda of Springfield, Ohio. Also adopted families: Steve and Jackie Bertles (Tyler and Rachel Bertles, Sara and Josh Self); Dennis and Lisa Meiners (Rachel and Gio Sanchez, Kevin and Carley Meiners, Erik and Liv Meiners); and John and Patty Steiner (Justin and Katie Steiner, Jessica and Caleb Dumais, Jacob and Heidi Steiner, Johanna and Joshua Helsel).
Dixie grew up on a potato farm near Pleasant Hill, Ohio. She graduated from Newton High School and attended Defiance College, then Eastern Kentucky University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. She completed her master’s degree in School Administration at Wright State University.
She worked for 32 years as a first-grade teacher in Tipp City, Ohio; as an elementary supervisor for Miami County Schools; and as an elementary principal for Troy City Schools. She completed her career as assistant Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Wright State University.
Professionally, she served as President of the Ohio Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and was actively involved in the statewide Right to Read Movement, Student Character Development, and Special Education inclusion efforts.
After retiring, Dixie served as Director of Mini University and Director of Women’s Ministries at Fairhaven Church. Dixie was also the primary motivator for Lisa Meiners with Deeper Still Ministries.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Fairhaven Church's chapel in Centerville, Ohio, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Visitation is at 10 am, with the service beginning at 11:00 am. Dixie will be buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery alongside her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dixie’s memory can be made to Deeper Still Ministries, 3578 Southbrook Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45434. https://deeperstillministries.com
