Bernard Harold (“Barney”) Kronewitter
April 27, 1924 – December 27, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family of Bernard Harold Kronewitter, known to all as Barney, announces his passing on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the amazing age of 94. Barney left us peacefully at his residence in Mesa, Arizona.
Born into a large family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters, Barney is survived by sister Claire Deal and brother Bud Kronewitter, daughters Nansi Byerley and Sheila Ferguson, grandson Geoff Mehler and wife Laura, son-in-law William “Fergy” Ferguson, and many nieces and nephews with families living out of state. Included in his extended family is the niece of Barney’s beloved wife Lorraine, Colleen Knop and her husband Gene who have been Barney’s earthly “guardian angels” since the passing of Lorraine in 2015.
Born in Mishawaka, Indiana on April 27, 1924, Barney served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946 as a High Speed Radio Operator/Staff Sergeant. After working at Bendix in South Bend, Indiana he moved his family to Washington State in 1959 where he worked as a truck driver for many years. Once his daughters were both on their own he met and married Lorraine. They moved briefly to California and then to Mesa, Arizona where they spent
the rest of their years together.
Barney loved the outdoors – camping, fishing, playing horseshoes, gardening, working on his many hobbies on his patio, and especially lending a hand to anyone who needed help. Once retired, Barney and Lorraine hit the road in the RV and traveled around the US connecting with many friends along the way who all have fond memories of Barney from their many gatherings. Closer to home, Barney and Lorraine spent many happy hours at their clubhouse at Casa De Paz, sharing holidays and special occasions, meals, stories (Barney loved a good joke!) and just enjoying time spent with all their friends.
Barney was also a very talented artist! His crafts and creations ranged from macramé hangings, oil and water color painting to his most memorable talent – wood carving. His favorite subject was native birds, but he will be remembered most for his amazingly detailed and beautiful life-like Bald Eagles.
Barney loved life and loved people. In fact, he is probably already planning a reunion party with those who have gone before him. A friend to many and loved by all – Barney will be greatly missed.
A memorial service for Barney will be held Tuesday January 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024.