Sue Barna

Sue Barna, 84, of Rockford, died at 10:56 a.m. Sunday, March 22, 2020, at the Laurels of Shane Hill, surrounded by her loving family.  

She was born December 10, 1935, the daughter of Bert and Doris (Prichard) Harmon, who both preceded her in death. Sue was a graduate of the Willshire High School Class of 1953, and continued her studies, graduating from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1956. On September 12, 1959, she married Gene Barna, who died February 23, 2012.  

Sue began her career in nursing in Decatur, Indiana, working for the office of Dr. Arthur Girod. Later, Sue and Gene decided to move to Huntington, Indiana, where they became the proud owners and operators of Town and Country Nursing Home.  But home was calling and Sue and Gene made the decision to move back to Rockford. There, Sue began working as a registered nurse at the newly-built Shane Hill Nursing Home in Rockford; later, she became the director of nursing at Shane Hill.

Sue loved shopping, playing cards, and doing crossword puzzles; Gene had gotten her interested in watching the Detroit Tigers, and the more she watched, the more she loved her Tigers! Most of all, she loved her family — especially her grandchildren. Anything the grandkids were doing, she was right there to cheer them on, including watching their ball games. Family was everything to Sue.

Surviving are Sue’s children, Gino (Nancy) Barna of Port Clinton, Mark (Mary) Barna of Ohio City, and Lisa Perry of Rockford; seven grandchildren, Bart (Lissette) Barna, Melanie (David) Gard, Courtney Barna, Ben (Crystal) Ayers, Bill (Amanda) Perry, Madisen Barna, and Rachel Perry; several great-grandchildren; and a brother, Terry (Brenda) Harmon of Van Wert.  

Two brothers, Larry Harmon and an infant brother, Gary; and a sister, Janet Harmon, also preceded her in death.

Because of national health concerns, Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home and the Barna family are following directives outlined by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, limiting attendance to the visitation and funeral service to immediate family only.  Please reach out to us, and we will share your sympathies with Sue’s family.

Preferred memorials: State of the Heart Hospice, 230 W. Main St., Coldwater, OH 45828.  

Condolences may also be expressed at www.ketchamripley.com.