Rick J. Barnhill

Rick J. Barnhill, age 71 of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Harbor Hospice-Poppen House after a brief illness. He was born on April 20, 1948 in Grand Haven, MI to the late Richard and Maxine (Pike) Barnhill. Rick married Carol Nuismer on November 7, 1969 and together they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this November.

Rick resided in Grand Haven his entire life.  He graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1966. Rick enlisted in the US Army in December 1967 and served in Vietnam. After leaving the military, Rick attended Muskegon Community College and Grand Valley University where he graduated with a BS in Health Science in 1974.

Rick was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school for several years. He worked in automotive part sales in the Grand Haven area for many years. Rick was a member of the American Legion for the last 46 years, and he enjoyed playing softball, going camping, and spending time listening to the oldies.

Rick will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife, Carol; two daughters, Rachelle (David) Purosky of Norton Shores and Deanna (Schaefer) Arnould of Hudsonville; 5 grandchildren: Bella, Jackie, and Vincent Purosky, Caleb Barnhill and Carson Arnould; sister, Sherry Fricano; brothers-in-law, Ronald (Denise) Nuismer and Gary (Dianne) Nuismer; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Dawn Jacobs; in-laws, Herman and Theda Nuismer; and brothers-in-law, Joe Fricano and Nelson Jacobs. 

The Memorial Service for Rick will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Bytwerk officiating. Full Military Rites will be performed by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.  

Memorial Contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice. 

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