Allen Berkey Barnett

Mr. Allen Berkey Barnett Sr of Dora, PA went home to be with his Savior on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. He passed away quietly in his sleep in his home where he resided for the last 53 years. All who knew Al knew him as a good man who helped everyone he could and poured his life into his family. He was born and raised in Punxsutawney until he moved to Erie with his parents and met his loving wife of 40 years, Joyce Bennett. Then in 1972, he brought his family back to the area. They began fixing up their new home and clearing the property, where they loved to garden and raised everything from rabbits to chickens and more. They even added a pond. During this time, he drove a coal truck until he finally had the opportunity to start his own garage, Allen’s Auto Service. With Joyce as notary, he built this business and added Barnett’s Auto Sales. They worked side by side and always kept life simple. Both began attending Dora Evangelical Church and developed strong ties that would last until Joyce passed in 1999, and until Al took his final breath.

He loved to hunt and fish and went every chance he got. He shot two prize bucks, and many times caught his limit of perch on Lake Erie. He loved old cars and car shows, owning everything from an old T Bird to a 50th anniversary Mustang Convertible. He truly enjoyed being part of the local Moose Lodge as well as the Punxsy Cruise-In. One of the highlights of the last 15 years has been “The Breakfast Club,” consisting of many friends meeting on Tuesday mornings in restaurants all over town. No page in an obituary column could ever contain the life and times of such a wonderful man. He overcame the lasting symptoms of a severe stroke and still enjoyed so much of life. It was during this time of struggle his community of friends and neighbors, including the Dora Church, truly rallied around him and gave him the kind of love and support we all cherish. He always said he could not have been blessed with better. Even in his last days, he was surrounded by love and care.

He is survived by his four children Allen Jr & wife Laurie of Warren, PA, Angela & husband Elmer Lloyd of Timblin, PA, James and wife Tina of Brookville, PA, Ann Marie & husband Ken Erdner of Natrona Heights, PA; grandchildren Dustin Barnett, Matt Smith, Tika Dickey, Travis Barnett, and Michael Tromblay; many beloved nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. Special mention to the surviving family of Anna Hollenbaugh, his companion in later years who passed in 2018. Also preceding him in death were his siblings, Jay, Donald, Ardell, Richard, Harvey, Dorothy and Joann; close friend Bill Stiles; nephew Mike Barnett and nieces Debbie Bridge and Marsha Cochrane.

All are invited to celebrate the memory of this good man in two separate meetings. Friends will be received from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Dora Evangelical Church, 2547 Dora Timblin Rd., Punxsutawney, PA. A dinner will follow at the church. A second viewing will take place from 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday July 19, 2025, at the Shumaker Funeral Home in Punxsutawney, PA.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the Shumaker Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Wayne Taylor.

Interment will take place privately at the Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dora Church. 

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