Ruth (Jean) I. (Todd) Barnard

Ruth (Jean) I. (Todd) Barnard, Age 86, of Stockton, MO departed this life Sunday, August 31, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Bois D’Arc, MO. Born in Salem, IL, she was the daughter of Horace Leon Parker and Dorothy Pearl Martin. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Arthur Wiesner, brother-in-law Django Martina, daughter Jeri Lynn Rush, Nephew Glenn Wiesner and granddaughter Heather Fredrickson.

Jean grew up in Salem, IL with her sisters, Marcia (Parker) Wiesner and Cynthia (Raley) Martina. She attended and graduated from Carmi High School where she excelled at typing and shorthand. She loved being a member of the Marching band where she played the clarinet. After high school she met and began dating Airman 2nd Class Jerry E. Todd. They were married on March 8, 1957. During their 32-year marriage, they were blessed with 3 daughters, Jeri Lynn Rush (deceased), Julie Ann Reifschneider (Mitchell), Bois D’Arc, MO and Janet Lucille Forand (Kenneth), Lexington, SC.

She loved her role as an Air Force wife and enjoyed living overseas in Africa and the Philippine Islands. They lived in many different stateside locations as well. Jean and her family settled on a 10-acre farm in Dayton, MO where she enjoyed gardening and canning produce from the large garden and orchard. She attended to the needs of milk cows, goats, pigs, chickens, geese and her beloved horses, especially her zebra-dunn, “Fella”.

She was an incredible cook and loved making dinners completely from what they raised on the farm. Jean was a devoted and talented homemaker who spent countless hours knitting and sewing clothes for her daughters and also supported them in many activities ranging from school sports and band to horse shows and competitive trail riding.

She and her family became members of Church on The Rock around 1982 where she was involved in home groups, various Bible studies as well as helping with the Church’s weekly worship presentations.

In 1992, she married James (Jim) W. Barnard, Jr., a combat Marine Corps veteran from Harrisonville, MO. They relocated to 10 acres in Stockton, MO in 2006. They enjoyed swimming at Stockton Lake, fishing on the Sac River and hunting deer in their own backyard.

They loved to travel and made several trips to South Carolina to see and support family for important milestones. Always steadfast in her faith, Jean became a member of Caplinger Mills Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking meals for the congregation for Wednesday night services. She made lasting friendships and inspired others with her knowledge and love for Jesus and His word.

Another great love of her life were her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Andrew (Zoe) Rush, David (Brooke) Rush, Elijah Fredrickson, Annie (Ryan) Hake, Seth Fredrickson, Prayer (Melissa) Reifschneider, DeaAna (Josh) Quisenberry, Thomas Vest, Jacqueline Vest, James York, Jordan York and 14 great grandchildren.

Jean was known for her honesty, integrity and had an incredible sense of humor; the sound of her laughter was the most joyful and contagious sound. Everyone who knew her will miss the sound of her laughter. She had a love of scriptural prophecy, Israel, and the Jewish people. She was known by many and loved by many. To her family, she was the best Mama, Aunt, sister and Nana in the whole world.

She will be dearly missed, deeply mourned and always remembered.

Visitation will be held 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Graveside Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.