Obituary of Ellsworth "Ellie" Barber

Dr. Ellsworth "Ellie" Edgar Barber, 98, of Mansfield, PA, passed away on July 4, 2019. He was surrounded by loved ones at Brothers Of Mercy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Clarence, NY. Ellie was born August 15, 1920 on the family farm in Lawrenceville, PA to Victor Ward and Jennie DeGroff Barber. He graduated from Lawrenceville High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Health Education at East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College. He excelled as a student and athlete. His favorite sports were baseball and soccer. His dream of playing professional baseball ended when he left the MLB farm system to enlist in the Navy. Preceding deployment to Hawaii, his college sweetheart, Virginia "Gina" Silverthorne Altenderfer, met him in Texas where they were married on August 10, 1944. He proudly served our country throughout World War ll from 1942-1946, receiving an Honorable Discharge after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Ellie's happy childhood on the family farm instilled in him a dedicated passion for animals and inspired him to become a veterinarian. After the war, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1950. He and his wife, Gina, moved to Mansfield where he joined Dr. Raymond Lynch's large and small animal veterinary practice. "Doc", as he came to be known locally, bought the practice when Dr. Lynch retired. Dr. Gary Burleigh joined the practice and together they faithfully served the local community until Doc retired from private practice and went to work for the PA State Department of Agriculture, monitoring the health and welfare of animals. Doc loved Mansfield. He made friends wherever he went with his infectious smile and warm, friendly personality. He provided truly caring veterinary services for family pets and farmer's livestock, working days, nights, holidays and through all types of weather. He always had a new joke to tell and never messed up the punch line. He was a dedicated NY Yankees fan and proud captain of the Barber Bulls bowling team. He once bowled a perfect game! He served on the Mansfield Borough Council, enjoyed golf and he may have been the most enthusiastic fan of the high school basketball team to ever bless the bleachers. Following the untimely death of Gina, Ellie found love again with Elizabeth "Betty" Snyder. As partners in life, they and Betty's son Danny, shared many wonderful, active years together. Ellie was also preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Jennie; his sister Evelyn Middaugh; his granddaughters Tiffany Barber (infant) and Bailey Good; and Betty's daughter Gaye Lynn Snyder. Survivors include his life partner, Betty and his children Diane L. Barber, Gary E. (Cathy) Barber, Sandra B. (Mike) Good and Janis B. (Carey) Brown. Betty's children are Carolyn (John) Snyder-Husted and Dan (Jacqueline Fatta) Snyder. His grandchildren are Cory and Kaitlin O'Brien, Christopher Barber and Andrew and Taylor Brown. Betty's grandchildren are Tyler (Geoff) Husted-Bachrodt, Colby Husted, Mitch Snyder and Ashley Smith and great grandson Declan Bachrodt. There are many nieces, nephews and loved ones. The family is grateful for the care Dr. Barber received at Brothers of Mercy. Family members Betty, Dan, John, Jackie and many others were devoted caretakers. As requested by Dr. Barber, there will be a private, family graveside service. Pastor Stuart Hague will officiate. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buckheit Funeral Chapel in Mansfield, PA. The family respectfully requests those wishing to remember him consider a memorial gift to their charity of choice. As he would say when parting ways, we say to him in passing, "See ya' around the pool hall, Dad!"