Patricia Jean (Steele) Barnhart Tester

Patricia Jean (Steele) Barnhart Tester 

February 2, 1937 – June 8, 2022 

Patricia Jean (Steele) Barnhart Tester, 85, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Port Charlotte, Florida.  

Patricia was born on February 2, 1937, in Ripley Township, Huron County, to the late Virgil B. Steele and Mary E. (McFarlin) Steele Kline. She was a graduate of Norwalk High School in 1955.  

Patricia worked at Woolworth’s while attending high school. She went on to work at Mihali Studio and Stein Photography. Later, she worked at the post office and library in North Fairfield. She lived most of her life in the Norwalk and North Fairfield areas.  

Patricia married Gerald J. Barnhart on May 19, 1956. They were married 43 years until his passing in 1999. Together they operated North Side Gulf in Norwalk until moving to North Fairfield where they farmed part time until his death. She married Stanley A. Tester on January 1, 2004. They enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and camping in Amish Country.  

Patricia enjoyed playing cards, doing ceramics, crochet, other crafts, and bowling. Her greatest joy of all was spending time with her family and friends.  

Patricia is survived by her children, Stephen V. (Lois) Barnhart of North Fairfield, Cindy L. (Rory) Moser, Candee L. (John) White, both of Port Charlotte, FL; daughter-in-law, Julie Barnhart, of Norwalk; step-children, Teresa (Bruce) Brudzinski of Pickerington, Tracy (Bob) Miller of Wakeman, and Trent Tester of New London; 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Shirley (Robert) Eckert and Keith Kline, both of Norwalk; brother-in-law, John (Lorene) Barnhart of Kipton, sisters-in-law, Donna (Don) Graves of Oklahoma and Carol (Ned) Wikel of Swanton.  

In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her first husband, Gerald Barnhart; second husband, Stanley Tester; son, Gerald D. Barnhart; brother, Kennth Kline; sister, Lois Steele, and a granddaughter, Misty Dawn Moser.  

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 11 am at Victory Baptist Church, 132 Gallup Avenue, Norwalk, OH 44857. A burial will follow in North Fairfield Cemetery.  

Those wishing to contribute to Patricia’s memory may do so to Victory Baptist Church, 132 Gallup Avenue, Norwalk, OH 44857.  

Patricia was a member of Victory Baptist Church where her and Stanley enjoyed worshipping together. 

Fond memories and condolences may be shared online at www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.  

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