Obituary: Leota ‘Lee’ Jean Stuckwisch Barnett

February 10, 1946 – March 16, 2025

Leota “Lee” Jean Stuckwisch Barnett, 79, of Seymour, passed away at the Covered Bridge HealthCampus in Seymour on Sunday, March 16, 2025, with family present.

Lee was born in Seymour on February 10, 1946, to the late Carl Herman John and Beulah Elizabeth Steltenpohl Stuckwisch. She was baptized on February 24, 1946, by Pastor Victor A. Mack and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour. She married Merle Francis Barnett at Immanuel on December 28, 1968.

Lee was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. After high school, she worked at the local shoe factory, Dickson, Inc., in Freeman Field in Seymour in accounts receivable for 35 years. She graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School in 1960 and Seymour High School in 1964. She was a breast cancer survivor. Lee greatly loved her church and family and joy in caring for her children and grandchildren. She greatly enjoyed family trips to visit family and relatives around the country. Her dishes are family favorites, including her chocolate pies and chili.

She is survived by her husband, Merle Barnett; one daughter, Kimberly Barnett of Seymour; one son, Shawn (Angela) Barnett of Springfield, TN; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Carr (Evan) Zook, Autumn, Rachel, Evan Barnett, Justin and Lauren; and great-grandchildren, Aiden Simpson, Kailani Zook, and Briar.

Preceding Lee in death are her parents, Carl Herman John and Beulah Elizabeth Steltenpohl Stuckwisch; brother, Rev. Don Stuckwisch; sister, Shirley Mails; and daughter, Kristine Barnett Carr.

Funeral services for Lee will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, with Rev. Ralph Blomenberg, James Rodriguez, and William Fredstrom officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Memorial donations may be made in Lee’s memory to the Heritage Museum at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Jon Pace and Scotty Wessel at the Burkholder Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes in Seymour. Memories and condolences may be shared, and flowers may be ordered at www.BurkholderFuneralChapel.com.