David Barness

David James Barness, 61, departed this earthly life to return home to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday June 3, 2024. He was born at Sewickley Valley Hospital on April 22, 1963, to his parents Peter Valentine Barness and Hazel Marie (Gregory) Barness.

David is loved and missed by his wife of 26 years, Susan (Beeman) Barness; his step-son, Joshua Crowe and his children Cali and
Emmitt; his step-daughter, Janese Dille and her fiancé, Jose Castro-Valentin and his sons, Na'siy and Xander and their newest addition, Everly Ann; and his sons, Zachariah and Daniel Barness. He is also survived by his four sisters, Alice (Barness) Ritchey (Pete Ritchey deceased) and her daughter, Julie (Ritchey) Chambers and her husband Michael and their children Michael Jr, Eric, Jacqueline and Keaira; Kim (Barness) Halbrook (Leroy Halbrook deceased); Jacqueline (Barness) Beck (Michael deceased); and Jenny (Barness) Houdeshell and her husband, Kenny and their children, Kenneth James (Jimmy), Delores (DeeDee), Bryan and Joshua. Also survived by his brother-in-law, Brian Beeman and his wife Lori, their children Caleb, Alyssa and Sarah; his sister-in-law Kim (Beeman) Davids and her husband, Chris, and their children, Mack, Billy and Luke.

He is preceded in death by his parents (noted above), his brother, Peter Thomas and 3 brothers-in-laws (noted above), as well as his in-laws Martha (McKenzie) Beeman and Howard Leslie Beeman, (to whom he was very close) and nephew Howie Hall and niece, Nikki Bean.

David loved the Lord and had his faith strengthened and nourished by attending Valley Christian Fellowship. He enjoyed the love of his church family and relied on their faithful prayers. He took great pride in going back to school to get a degree and enjoyed working in the field of computer technology. David always said the most important job he had was providing for his family and did so with great passion. It could easily be said he was a workaholic but enjoyed his work. He was proud to be a loving (and patient) husband, father and Poppy. He was very proud of the home he made with his wife, Susan, in Fair Oaks, next to the home where he grew up. David loved his grandkids beyond measure and enjoyed when they came to visit bringing with them so much love and joy. He would often cook a meal for them, taking requests on what they wanted, Fettucine Alfredo being a popular specialty. He was proud to have the nickname, Davey Crockett, a badge of honor bestowed on him by his father-in-law. He had a fervent passion for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Steelers, often taking his joy or disappointment to a vibrant and loud level. He loved country music. He was not one much for travel but teared up when he saw the welcome sign for Disney World and when he visited the grave of his favorite country singer, Hank Williams. David can best be described as a quiet softy, who didn't only just love his family, he put their needs above his own. His family will be forever grateful for all the sacrifices and hard work he made to provide a good life. His memory lives on by all those who loved him.

Per David's request, there will be no funeral viewing but there will be a Celebration of Life, Saturday, June 8, 2 pm, at Valley Christian Fellowship, 398 Rt. 68, Rochester, PA, 15074, with a luncheon to be served at the adjacent fellowship hall. Family and friends are invited to come and share fond memories and stories.