Donald Barna

Donald Eugene "Gene" Barna, 82 of Rockford, Ohio, died at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford, where he was a patient. He was born on March 12, 1929, the son of Sylvester and Julia (Kaschak) Barna. On September 12, 1959, he married Sue Harmon, who survives in Rockford. Gene was owner and manager of Barna's Café in Rockford for many years. He had lived in Rockford since 1952, coming from Indiana. He and his wife, Sue, were co-owners of the Town & Country Nursing Home in Huntington, Indiana. He also owned and operated a poultry house on Tama Rd, outside of Rockford for many years, and he retired from Huffy's in Celina. He served in the U.S. Navy and Marines during the Korean Conflict, and was a member of the Rockford American Legion Post #508, the Celina VFW Post, and a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Rockford. Gene was an avid hunter, fisherman, and trapper all of his life. Surviving in addition to his wife, Sue, are three children: Gino (Nancy) Barna of Port Clinton, Ohio; Mark (Mary) Barna of Ohio City, Ohio; and Lisa Perry of Rockford, Ohio. Also surviving is one brother, Bill (Madelyn) Barna of Louisville, Kentucky and a sister, Betty Belna of Rockford. Four grandchildren survive: Melanie, Courtney, and Madisen Barna and Rachel Perry; three step-grandchildren: Bart Barna, Bill Perry, and Ben Ayers, along with five step-great grandchildren. Deceased are three brothers, Ron, Dick, and Bob Barna. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 27, 2012, at 10:30 a.m.at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford with Rev.James Seibert officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00-8:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Military honors will be conducted at the grave site by the Rockford American Legion Post #508..