Barnes Staff Directory

Robert C. Barnes

Ohio Licensed Funeral Director Embalmer

Eaton High School 1959 graduate; attended Wilmington College; Graduated Cum Laude from Cincinnati College of Embalming - 1962; Alpha Chapter - Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity; Charter Member of Eaton Emergency Squad and first  Squad Chief 1972-1976; Member and Past President Eaton Area Chamber of Commerce - 1987; Life Member and Past President & Past Secretary of Eaton Lions Club; Lions International Distinguished Service Award - Eaton Lions Club 1989; Melvin Jones Fellow - Lions International; National Funeral Directors Association; Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Member - Past President - Past Treasurer - 4th District Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Ohio Embalmers Association; Concord United Church of Christ; Charter Member Preble County Y.M.C.A.; Preble County Jury Commissioner; Member and Treasurer - Eaton Foundation; Cedar Springs Care Center Human Rights Committee; Preble County Historical Society and Eaton Country Club.

Bruce L. Barnes

Ohio  Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer 

Indiana Licensed Funeral Director

Eaton High School 1966 graduate; United States Army Sergeant received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service while in Vietnam during January 1968 to January 1969; Graduate Miami-Jacobs College in Dayton, Ohio with Associate Degree in Business Administration and Higher Accounting; Attended Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio for Pre-Mortuary Science Education; 1974 Graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Memberships & Associations: Eaton Church of The Brethren - Eaton, Ohio; Gideon's International; Eaton Rotary Club - Past President, Treasurer, Paul Harris Fellow and 2000-2001 Rotarian of The Year; Preble County Commissioner of Board of Veteran's Services; Kentucky Colonel; Life Member Preble County Memorial V.F.W. Post 8066, St. Clair Post 215 American Legion and Vietnam Veterans of America; Ohio Embalmers Association & Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Avid Fisherman.

 Erin M. Barnes

Ohio Licensed Funeral Director

For 28 years Erin has proudly called Preble County her home. A native of California, Erin moved to Eaton with her family in 1979. She is a 1984 graduate of Eaton High School and a 1986 graduate of Miami University in Oxford where she received her Associate of Arts degree with a minor in Early Childhood Education. Shortly after her marriage to Brian R. Barnes in May of 1986 Erin began her Funeral Directors apprenticeship under the direction of her father-in-law Robert C. Barnes and received her Funeral Directors licence in October of 1988. In addition to her duties with the funeral home, Erin has served as a precinct judge for the Preble County Board of Elections and has volunteered her time with various organizations at Tri County North Schools. Erin is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the Ohio Embalmers Association. Since their marriage in 1986 Erin and her husband Brian have proudly called Lewisburg their home. Brian and Erin are the proud parents of their son, Matthew and daughter, Christina. Matthew is a student at Ohio University in Athens where he is a communications major and a proud member of the Ohio University Marching 110. Christina is a student at Tri County North High School where she is a member of the girl’s soccer team, softball team and the marching band.  

 Sharon J. Barnes

Ohio Licensed Funeral Director

Dixon-Israel High School 1958 graduate; Bachelor of Music Degree - Oberlin College Conservatory of Music - 1962; Graduate Studies - Miami University; First woman in Preble County to obtain Ohio Funeral Director’s License - 1970; Retired Music Teacher - Eaton City Schools - 1995; Member of National Funeral Directors Association; Ohio Funeral Directors Association; 4th District Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Ohio Embalmers Association; Life Member Ohio retired Teachers Association; Life Member Preble County Retired Teachers Association; Music Educators National Conference; Ohio Music Educators Conference; Ohio Music Educators Association Quarter Century Award; Eaton Community Chorus; Charter Member Preble County Y.M.C.A.; Concord United Church of Christ; Eaton Area Chamber of Commerce; Eaton Country Club; Omicron Sigma Sorority; Alpha Garden Club; Preble County College Club; Preble County Historical Society and Past Presiding Judge Preble County Board of Elections.

Brian R. Barnes

Ohio Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Monument Specialist

Eaton High School 1983 graduate; Attended Wilmington College; Gamma Phi Gamma Fraternity; 2004 Fall Graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science; Bachelor Degree in Applied Science in Mortuary Science; National Board Examination; Registered with the International Conference of Funeral Service; Ohio Embalmers Association; Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education; Member Eaton Chamber of Commerce; Lewisburg Chamber of Commerce; New Paris Chamber of Commerce; Monument Builders of Ohio; Monument Builders of North America; Eaton Lions Club Assistant Secretary & Secretary; Received the Governor's Achievement Award for Outstanding Lions Secretary District 13-H; Past President 1998 - 1999; Lions International Melvin Jones Fellow & Life Member; Distinguished Service Award; Leo Club Advisor; Zone Chairman District 13-H; District Membership Chairman District 13-H; District Newsletter Editor and Judge 1997-1998; State Band Chairman District 13-H; International Convention Committee & Delegate; Board of Directors Ohio Lions Pin Traders; Life Member of the Buckeye Big Buck Club and Preble County Ducks Unlimited Committee 1994 - 1997. Brian and Erin are the proud parents of their son, Matthew and daughter, Christina. Matthew is a student at Ohio University in Athens where he is a communications major. Christina is a student at Tri County North High School where she is a member of the girl’s soccer team, softball team and the marching band.

Michael H. Barnes

Ohio Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Eaton High School 1993 graduate; Spring 2004 Graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science ; Bachelor Degree in Applied Science in Mortuary Science; National Board Examination; Registered with the International Conference of Funeral Service; Ohio Embalmers Association; Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education; Member Eaton Chamber of Commerce; Lewisburg Chamber of Commerce; New Paris Chamber of Commerce; Eaton Lions Club -  District 13 H Youth Chairman and Ohio State Youth Chairman from 2004 to present, 2007 to 2008 First Vice President and President 2008 - 2009;  Eaton Church of The Brethren and is the son of Bruce L. & Rayna E. Barnes. Mike and his wife Darlene live in Eaton, Ohio. 

Carolyn "Jill" Vaniman

Ohio Licensed Funeral Director

September 1976, the Barnes family entered a contract with Harry L. Bussard, owner of Bussard Funeral Home in Eldorado. Mr. Bussard died in June 1981 but the working contract agreement is still active with Mr. Bussard's daughter, Carolyn "Jill" Vaniman, who is a licensed funeral Director & Manager Owner. Jill has been active in many activities in Eldorado and Monroe Township. The funeral home at 311 North Main Street is know as Bussard-Barnes-Vaniman Funeral Home.

Rayna E. Barnes

Graduate of Denver, CO East High School 1968 graduate, Rayna was raised in a military family and had traveled extensively including living in Germany for 3 years. Rayna married Bruce L. Barnes in 1969. She worked for City Loan & Savings for several years, Browning Manufacturing and Bullen/Silfex Semiconductor Corp. in Eaton, OH. In addition to raising three children, she has assisted in many of the family business operations. Rayna and her husband Bruce have three children, Michael Barnes, William Barnes and Julie Barnes. Rayna is a member of Eaton Church of the Brethren where she has served in various leadership positions.  Music, reading and gardening are her hobbies.  

 Robert E. Line

Bob has been a valuable employee of Barnes Funeral Homes since 1980. He has been responsible for many duties of the general maintenance and care of buildings and equipment. Bob a 1953 Eaton High School graduate and his wife Linda a 1958 Dixon High School graduate, have been residents of Eaton - Preble County all of their lives. He enjoys woodworking as a hobby.

Stan & Janet Arthur

Stan & Janet (Arnett) Arthur have been a vital part of serving families in New Paris. They have been the residents of the funeral home in New Paris since 1984. Both are members of St. Paul United Methodist Church in New Paris and enjoy camping.

  Bryan Plaugher

Bryan grew up in Camden attending both Preble Shawnee and Eaton City Schools. He is married to Shannah and has two beautiful children, Malorie & Logan. He is a member of the Eagles Lodge, Moose Lodge, VFW, & American Legion. He enjoys playing music with his band, golf, and Cincinnati Bengals football. Bryan is thankful that he can be of help & comfort to people during such a difficult time.

 Gary R. Overton

Gary has resided in West Alexandria, OH for 31 years. He took an early retirement from General Motors where he worked as a toolmaker/machinist. Gary is a licensed poultry judge, judging at open-class shows in the U.S. and abroad and state and county fairs where he especially enjoys working with youth. He enjoys raising exhibition poultry and is a life member of the American Poultry Association, American Bantam Association and the International Waterfowl Breeders Association where he has won many awards and titles including Grand Master Exhibitor. He also enjoys fresh-water fishing. He and his wife Audrey are active member at Eaton Church of The Brethren and he is also involved in the Gideon ministry. Gary considers it a Privilege to be associated with Barnes Funeral Homes where he is able to be of help to people in their time of need.  

Robert A. Somers

Bob is a retired Preble County school teacher. He is an avid sports fan of The Ohio State University and loves to fish. Bob and his wife Jane attend Concord United Church of Christ.

  Vaughn Oburn

Vaughn graduated from West Milton High School and served in the U.S. Air Force as a Military Policeman. After his duty in the Air Force he chose to work in law enforcement. He retired in 2005 as Assistant Police Chief from the City of Eaton Police Department after 30 years of service. Vaughn and his wife Diana are members of the Eaton Church of The Brethern and are active in many church related activities. He also enjoys working in and around the house. Diana works in the medical profession.

 Rev. Charles Rinehart

Charlie is a Eaton High School 1961 graduate. He attended Ohio University, Global University and Bethany Seminary. Studied Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Chaplaincy Program at Kettering Memorial Hospital. Ordained minister since 1984 with the Association of Fundamental Ministers and Churches, and licensed minister with the Church of the Brethren. Owner/CEO of Crown Services, a property management service company – Affiliated with Rodney Cobb Chevrolet - Retired from Dayton Power and Light Company. Charlie is the pastor of the Cornerstone Church of The Brethren in Lewisburg.

 John S. Redick

John has been a resident of the Eaton area for many years and currently lives in Lakengren. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran and retired from General Motors after 32 years with the Research & Development. Member of Eaton Church of The Brethren and enjoys to fish, play golf and go camping. He is married to Joella A. (Guckian) Redick and they have two children and five grandchildren,

 Roger Blankenship

Roger has been a resident of the Lewisburg area for many years. He retired from Lewisburg Container and has been active in the Lewisburg Masonic Lodge.

Daryl  L. Stump, Sr.

Daryl is a retired police officer and has lived in Preble County most all of his life.

LaDonna Clark 

LaDonna attended Richmond Senior High School and then on to Anderson's School of Cosmatology in 1963. She is married to Robert W. Clark. They have 3 children, 5 grand children and 10 great grandchildren. She has been associated with the Barnes family for over 35 years.