Ronda J. Barnett

Ronda J. Barnett of Waterfall passed away October 1, 2025 at home after a brave and graceful fight with cancer. She was born February 7, 1946 in Roaring Springs, PA, a daughter of the late Chalmer Eller and Grace (Van Horn) Eller Truax. She and Howard Barnett just celebrated 61 years of marriage. They were married in New Bloomfield, PA on September 13, 1964.

Ronda spent a lifetime giving back to her community. She and Howd started a Wells Tannery Explorer (a version of Scouts for both teenage men and women) shortly after graduating from High School. In 1976, they and 4 other adults took 52 teenagers to Fort Collins, CO to compete in the Explorer Olympics. They led the group for 10 years.

She played on the Wells Tannery women's softball team for over 25 years. She volunteered at the Wells Tannery Homecoming and other town events such as the Christmas Eve luminaries her entire life. In 1994, she joined the patriotic group called the Degree of Pocahontas. After being an instrumental leader in the local Everett group, she went on to lead and hold many roles at the State and then National level. One of the most important honors was laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, VA.

Ronda enjoyed watching birds of all kinds. She was a raptor counter at the Tuscarora Summit Hawk Watch then at the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch for over 2 decades. This work helps ornithologists understand population and behavior changes.

She was the assistant editor at the Red & White Dairy Cattle Association for almost 30 years.

Her husband survives along with her 2 children Mike (Donna) Barnett and Erika (Boyd) Bowman, and one grandchild, Lillie Bowman. She is also survived by a sister, Joan (John) Carpenter and a sister-in-law, Brenda Pepple (Louis) who she loved like a sister.

A Celebration of Life will be held November 1, starting at 10:00AM at the Bloody Run Social Club, 31 E South ST, Everett, PA. Service will begin at 11:30 with Mike Purnell officiating, followed by a Redman and Pocahontas ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Home For Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780.

Arrangements by Akers Funeral Home, Inc., 299 Raystown Road, Everett, PA 15537.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com

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