Oren 'OJB' Joseph Barnhart, 89

Oren "OJB" Joseph Barnhart, 89, of Kalispell "passed into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ" with his wife and family at his side Tuesday, June 24, 2008, after a brief stay at Brendan House in Kalispell. He was born the fifth of 10 children to Roy and Ellen Barnhart on Jan. 14, 1919, in Fairview. Oren moved to this area in 1945 to assist in the construction of the Hungry Horse Dam and later moved to Columbia Falls to work at the Anaconda Aluminum plant.

Along with four of his brothers, Oren joined the Army in 1941 and served as a medic and truck driver during World War II. After his discharge, he married Ella Hanson of Fairview in 1945, and later married Roberta Mitchell Zeier of Anaconda in 1981.

Oren is survived by his wife of 27 years, Roberta "Bobbie" Mitchell Zeier; and five children, Verlaine Van Atta and husband, Clint, of Billings, Gayle Reeves and husband, Chuck, of Columbia Falls, Vicki Eggen and husband, Roger, of Jacksonville, Fla., Kris Zeier of Kalispell, and Scott Zeier and wife, Vickie, of Missoula; brother, Glenn Barnhart and wife, Mary, of Portland; sister, Bessie Faries of Mena, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Irene Barnhart, wife of Raymond Barnhart, of Columbia Falls; brother, Leland Barnhart and wife, Ileta, of Portland; brother, Neil Barnhart and wife, Jennie, of Griffin, Ga.; plus grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, and Jamie Van Atta, Angela Hopkins, Matt and Chet Hoerner, Chuck Reeves, Jason and Kristen Eggen, and Hollie and Lindsey Zeier; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Oren was preceded in death by his first wife, Ella, in 1977; his sister, Esther; and brothers, Curtis, Irvin, Floyd and Raymond.

Oren and Bobbie lived in Columbia Falls until Oren's retirement in 1982, then spent several years RVing across the United States, and settled in Kalispell in 1992.

They have been active members of Faith Free Lutheran Church and the VFW Post 5650, helping with many projects for the community.

Even though Oren's patriarchal duties have ended, his family holds him in the highest regard for his gentleness, honesty, dependability, inner strength and commitment to family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, and a Christian model to the many people who knew and loved him.

A memorial service for Oren will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 27, at Faith Free Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty St., in Kalispell, followed by a luncheon and a military inurnment at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials for Oren be sent to Faith Free Lutheran Church for the building fund; or to the charity of choice.

Please visit the Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.