Richard Barkley

Richard Brown Barkley, 89, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, passed away Sunday, March 12. Dick was born on November 25, 1933, in Latrobe, PA. After graduating from Latrobe Area High School, he continued his education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dick taught elementary school in Latrobe for one year before enlisting in the Navy. He served two years aboard the USS Des Moines. When Dick returned to the states, he taught at Leonard Grade School, served as principal at Woodland Elementary, and eventually taught 6th grade math at Clearfield Middle School for many years. He retired from the Clearfield Area School District in the early nineties.

While Dick was teaching at Leonard, he met Betty Ann McFadden through relatives. They were married on August 22,1963, and honeymooned in the Poconos. In 1971, their son James W. Barkley was born. Over the years, Dick served as a member of the Kiwanis Club, a volunteer chaplain at Clearfield Hospital, and a lay minister in the Huntington Presbytery. Dick devoted much of his time and energy to the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield. He served this congregation as choir director for 29 years, and in many other capacities including deacon, elder, and church visitor.

Dick adored old movies! He knew many movie titles and could name lots of the old Hollywood stars and which movies they were in. He played the piano! He loved sitting at the piano, plinking away with his young granddaughters. He was an avid football fan and cheered on both Penn State and the Steelers.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, James Barkley and Helen (Brown) Barkley, his brother James W. Barkley, and two sisters, Betty (Barkley) Holzer and Lois Jeanne (Barkley) Markle.
He is survived by his wife Betty (McFadden) Barkley of Clearfield; son James W. Barkley, daughter-in-law Lori (Simonton) Barkley, and granddaughters Brynna Dawne Barkley and Katy Wynne Barkley, all of Nicholasville KY; and a sister Helen V. Barkley of Pittsburgh. He’s also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Dick loved people, and his life was filled with the blessings that come from a life devoted to serving and caring for others.

Funeral services will be held at The Presbyterian Church, Clearfield on Friday at 1 PM with Rev. Dr. Mary Jo Bruinooge officiating. Interment will be in the Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde.

Military honors will be accorded at the church.

Friends will be received at The Presbyterian Church on Friday from 11 AM until the hour of services.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Presbyterian Church, 119 N. Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830.

Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield is in charge of arrangements.

To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.