Patricia “Patty Barnes
Patricia Ruth (Cooper) Barnes, age 92, of Zanesville, passed away at 12:10 A.M. Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Genesis Morrison Hospice House. Patty was born on Thursday, March 2, 1933 in Zanesville, OH. The first of seven children born to Herbert and Rose (Mattey) Cooper. Patty was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and was in the 1st Graduating class of Bishop Rosecrans High School in 1951.
After graduation Patty met her future husband Bernard Barnes on a blind date. They were married on May 31, 1954 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Together they started a life that took them from Zanesville, to Barnesville, to Lima and eventually back to Zanesville. Along the way they welcomed seven children to their family: Vicki, Jeff, Erin, Betsy, Mary, Jennifer and Diane.
Patty is survived by son Jeffrey (Bonnie) Barnes of Findlay, OH, daughters Erin (John) O’Brien of Lima, OH, Betsy (Doug) Merry, Mary Lisa Cronin Peadon, Jennifer (George) Bates and Diane (Mark Lincicome) Hoffer all of Zanesville and Son-In-Law Dennis Michel of Zanesville.
In addition to her children Patty is survived by the following Grandchildren and Step-Grandchildren: Patrick (Bonnie), Brian (Shanon), Becky, Scott (Kari), Steve (Jackie), Sean (Megan), Michael (Dawn), Emily (Al), Katie, Kyle (Bria), Christopher (Katie), Julie (Ben), Jimmy, Jake, Michelle, Trisha (Anthony), Rachel, Adam, Aubrey (Mark), Lauren (Brandon), Shelby (Zac), Katie (Matt), Kerrie (Tony), Melissa (Keith), Megan (Jake), Ashley (Phil), Nicholas and 54 Great Grandchildren and #55 due in August.
Patty is also survived by her siblings Rosemary Minear of NJ, Tom (Sue) Cooper of SC, Sarah (Sally) Ebersbach of Zanesville and Mike (Kathy) Cooper of NC. Also surviving are many loved nieces, nephews and extended family.
Patty devoted her life to raising her large loving family. She was the true Matriarch; always planning and looking forward to the next family celebration. Over her lifetime she found much joy in sewing, reading, cooking, baking and remembering every family member with a “mailed” birthday card which included well over 100 loved ones. Patty’s ability to recall dates and events with phenomenal accuracy was legendary. She was the true Genealogist of her family.
Patty worked for the Board of Education Office of the Zanesville City Schools for over 20 years. She also was a fifty year member of the Beta Sigma Phi Social Sorority. Through her work place and sorority she made lifelong friends which she cherished. Patty could be seen supporting any activity a loved one participated in. She was her family’s #1 fan and will be fondly remembered as PB33.
In addition to her parents, Patty was preceded in death by her husband Bernie who died on Mar. 27, 1995, her daughter Vicki Michel who died on Feb. 1, 2025, her Grandson Joseph Barnes who died May 1, 2016, her sister Carol Smith, her brother Jerry Cooper, as well as numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Family and friends may call on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Hillis Combs and Nestor Funeral Home in Zanesville, OH where a Parish Vigil will be held at 7:45. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 22, 2025 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Beal as celebrant. Patty will be laid to rest at Mt. Olive Cemetery next to her loving husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Patty’s memory to the St. Nicholas Church, The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or the Bright Focus Foundation: Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.
Patty’s “Bright Light” will live on through all the lives she touched during her 92 years on earth. Dearest Mom, we will miss you and love you forever. To sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note of condolence please visit www.hilliscombsnestor.com.
