Larry Paul Barnhart, age 81 of Millersburg, PA, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on October 30, 2025.

Larry was born in Hershey, PA, the second and youngest child. In his early years, his parents owned and operated a pheasant farm in Pillow, PA. He loved to reminisce about hunting and farm stories and the lasting lessons of honesty, integrity, and hard work that defined his childhood. Larry graduated from Upper Dauphin High School where he played the saxophone in the Marching and Dance Bands and was a pitcher on the baseball team. Music brought him together with his high-school sweetheart and future, loving wife, Sue. Larry went on to graduate from The Pennsylvania State University and was a lifelong fan of his beloved Nittany Lions.

Larry and Sue married in 1966 and started a family raising three children, Erik, Kirsten and Kim. A loving and devoted father, Larry created fun memories on family vacations to Keuka Lake and the Outer Banks, built gazebos, playgrounds, and soccer nets/mini turf fields, rode snowmobiles and his favorite rollercoasters, danced at weddings, hosted gatherings and shared his humor. He was always generous with his time and resources.

He was fun and spontaneous, therefore, he loved being around youth.  Early in his career he was an industrial arts educator at Millersburg, PA and Pequea Valley, PA High Schools. Throughout the decades, coaching soccer became a lifelong passion as he started and led club and high school teams in the Central PA area.  Impacting children’s lives was a valued principle in his life as he took his role of coaching, encouraging and mentoring seriously.

Larry had a servant heart and tended to his community by leading youth groups in the church, Spanish exchange student programs, and a “Dinner by the River” Ministry for lonely and aging people on Thursday nights at church for several years.  Larry was an extrovert and thrived at planning any type of get together.  From hosting “Pig Roast Pool Parties” to taking soccer teams across Europe, Larry thrived in community.

Subsequently, Larry’s pride and joy were his five grandchildren. As their “Pappy”, he cherished every moment, big or small, he spent with them. He loved to teach them about gardening, fishing, sports, friendship, the Lord’s faithfulness, and hard work. He devoted much of his time to their events and he was a great sport at being silly, playing games, or creating art with them. His most favorite pastime may have been to simply share laughter with his grandchildren.

Larry is survived and missed by his devoted wife, favorite travel companion, doting nurse and most trusted and treasured friend of 59 years, Sue; his loyal son, Erik (Michelle) Barnhart; and faithful daughters Kirsten (Greg) Hackenberger and Kim (Seth) Wilson.  He is remembered lovingly by his cherished granddaughters Emma and Sarah Barnhart, Julia and Eleanor Wilson and grandson Tyler Mowery. He is also survived by his older brother, William (Barb) Barnhart, brothers-in-law Gerry and Steve (Susan) Troutman. Larry is loved by dozens of adoring nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Berkey Fye Barnhart and Edith Shaffer Barnhart.

Larry’s Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025 for immediate family and close friends.

Please consider furthering Larry’s legacy with a memorial donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,  Samaritan’s Purse or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.