Minnie E. Barnes

Minnie Elva Belt Barnes passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 4, 2026 at 99 3/4 yrs old with family close by.

Minnie was born in 1926 to George and Elizabeth Belt on a small farm near Mahaffey, PA. As the oldest of 8 children (6 girls and 2 boys), Minnie often said she preferred helping her dad with the farm chores and riding the plow horse, Jim, to working indoors. Education was highly valued in the Belt family, so when, during World War II a man came to her small school offering opportunities to attend Lock Haven State Teachers College in exchange for work with Piper Aircraft, she jumped at the chance. Always an adventurer, that also gave her an opportunity to learn how to fly a Piper Cub and consider the possibility of a career in travel as a flight attendant. Ultimately, she studied education and became a grade school teacher.

While at Lock Haven, Minnie met George Barnes, just home from World War II and using the GI Bill to pursue his education. They married in Nov 1946, and following college, they moved to Clearfield County where they had jobs as teachers and started a family. Minnie worked for many years teaching 5th grade at Leonard Grade while also being a mom to 6 children. As a force of nature and master of the power nap, Minnie would wake early to help get the kids ready for school, work all day as a teacher, come home to a 20 min. power nap, make dinner, engage with the family, then spend hours each evening grading papers and writing lesson plans. Through the years she also continued her education, finally earning a Masters of Education. Though she was a voracious reader, she often saved the joy of reading for summer vacations and eventually, retirement.

Minnie retired from teaching at 65, and it was then that she could really nurture her love of adventure, reading and lifelong learning. She started with a weeklong backpack on the Appalachian Trail in Maine with 4 of her grown children. In the years following, she and George attended many Elderhostels (now Road Scholar) which combined educational activities with tourism. They went to Wales (where her father was born), Mexico, and many places across the United States, often in their Airstream trailer. They also volunteered for many years for Meals on Wheels, enjoyed auctions and estate sales, traveled widely and enjoyed being grandparents. Eventually they found themselves spending about 4 months each winter at an Airstream Park in Christmas, Florida where they kept themselves busy with walks, golf, making good friends and visiting family.

Minnie was predeceased by George, her husband of 65 yrs (Oct 2011) and her youngest son, Brian (Jan 2019). She is survived by children Jackie (of Clearfield), Valerie and spouse Bill (of State College), Ken and spouse Anne (of Woodland), Tracy and spouse David (of Seattle), and Scott (of Woodland). She is also survived by siblings Helen and spouse Loyal, Norm and spouse Johnnie, David (Bud),and Ruth as well as many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Minnie had a strong moral compass and believed deeply in kindness, fairness, tolerance, and especially The Golden Rule. If the measure of a good life is to be loved and to love well, then by all measures Minnie had both a long and meaningful life. She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food bank, library, or literacy program; this would be a great honor to her memory. A special thanks to Minnie's caregiver (Betty Templeton), Comfort Keepers (Dawn, Sierra and Elaine), and Penn Highlands Hospice Program; Minnie was patiently and kindly attended to in her last years. For this, her family is eternally grateful.