ELKHART -- Carolyn M. Barnes died April 15th, 2020 at home.  She is survived by her loving husband, Dr. James V. Barnes, four children: Kimberly, Laura, Jeffrey (Caitlin), and Gregory (Jessica), and five grandchildren: Alexander, Andrew, Kai, Brianna and Audrey.  She also leaves behind her brother James (Jay) Linhart, and many cherished friends.

She was born March 12, 1944, to parents James W.  and Mary V. (Quinn) Linhart. She attended Ohio State University.  She was known as a dedicated physical therapist. She retired from Elkhart General Hospital where she helped start the Home Health division and worked for many years.

She met her husband at a Halloween party where they discovered they were both involved with the medical community at Indiana University Medical Center. They were married on April 5, 1969.

Her greatest joy in life was being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She attended several swimming meets and some baseball games for her children.  She proudly cheered on her grandchildren Alex and Drew in their rowing races, Kai and Brianna in their swimming meets, and loved having tea with Audrey and her dolls.

She was a member of both the League of Women Voters and the Four Arts Club.  She was a talented seamstress, making clothes, dolls, and quilts. Her creations won multiple awards.  She also loved to scrapbook, chronicling both the ordinary and extraordinary moments in her family's life.  Her stunningly beautiful scrapbooks remain family heirlooms that document her love of family and a life well-lived.

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of life at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart will be planned at a later date.

Memorial donations may be given to Church Community Services, an organization that provides food and resources to those in need: https://www.churchcommunityservices.org/

Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at the Funeral Home website.

Church Community Services
PO Box 2346, Elkhart IN 46515
Tel: 1-574-295-3673
Email: office@churchcommunityservices.org
Web: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/church-community-services-inc