Melba Barnett

Melba "Joanne" Barnett, 86, of Matthews, Indiana, passed away at 4:00 am on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Bethel Pointe Health & Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by family and friends.

Joanne was born on July 2, 1939, to the late Willard "Bill" and Anna (Bole) Dearduff, in Muncie Indiana. She grew up in rural Upland and Muncie areas graduating from Jefferson Township High School with the Class of 1958. On May 27, 1960, she married Larry Barnett and begin her calling of being a devoted wife, and then a doting mother and grandmother. Larry left a void in her life, preceding her in death on March 15, 2023.

She enjoyed sharing friendships over the years at the First Community Church, Fire Department Auxiliary, Red Hat Society and being a part of the Matthews Tell-A-Friend Network. A collector of Boyd's Bears and Kewpie figurines, she enjoyed shopping and keeping contact with friends and family on the telephone.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Willard "Bill" and Anna Dearduff; husband, Larry Barnett; grandson Mark Barnett; and brother, Larry Layman along with several Barnett-in-laws. Survivors include her children, Daniel (Andrea) Barnett, Rhonda (Brian) Holtzleiter, Ricky Barnett; grandson, Matthew (Jordan) Barnett; great-grandsons, Easton and Max Barnett; sister-in-law Norette Barnett; and several nieces and nephews, who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

The family would like to thank special care-givers and friends; Brenda Worrick, Connie Bradford, and Judy Rogers.

Arrangements for Joanne have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 259 North Main Street, Upland, Indiana 46989, where a visitation will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Joe Ruberg officiating. Burial will take place at Matthews Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either First Community Church of Matthews, 131 West 7th Street, Matthews, Indiana 46957, or to the Matthews Volunteer Fire Department, 731 Massachusetts Avenue, Matthews, Indiana 46957. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.