Neila Barnes

Neila Mueller Barnes passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on July 22, 2026 in Monroe, Ohio. A long-time resident of Middletown, Neila and her husband Bruce, who preceded her in death, moved to Ohio Living Mount Pleasant Retirement Community in 2012.

Born November 10, 1931, Neila grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she attended Public School #152 and Packer Collegiate Institute. Neila entered the Ohio State University following in her father’s footsteps, also a graduate of Ohio State. She became a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and made many lifelong friends at Ohio State, including her future husband, Dr. L. Bruce Barnes. Neila graduated from Ohio State with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She and Bruce were married on August 22, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Neila worked various jobs in their early years and often assisted Bruce with his practice, providing vacation coverage for his staff. Bruce’s oral surgery career took Neila & Bruce to Virginia, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. In 1965 they settled in Middletown, Ohio where they spent the rest of their 70-year marriage.

Neila immersed herself in the Middletown community. She served as President of the local American Cancer Society, PTA, Shovel & Hoe Garden Club, President of the Butler County Alumni Association, Panhellenic, board of the Middletown Tennis Club, Middletown Current Events Club, and chaired many fundraisers, including Middletown Hospital’s Charity Ball and Middletown Fine Arts Center auction. Neila also “gave back” to her sorority, serving the local Miami University chapter as the alumnae advisor and later as the College District President for five Kappa Alpha Theta chapters in Ohio. She, along with her husband Bruce, were active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown, where both served several terms as Deacon, Elder, and Neila served as a Sunday School teacher. Neila was an active volunteer at Ohio Living Mount Pleasant Retirement Community and served on many resident committees. In 2003 Neila and Bruce were named co-chairs of the Atrium Medical Center Foundation’s Heritage Society, a 2-year term that lasted 16 years and for which they were honored as Community Heroes at the May 2022 Gala. Neila valued her girlfriends and enjoyed time with them playing bridge, knitting group, and the Birthday Club.

Bruce and Neila were devoted parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and wonderful role models. “Family time” was a priority. There were many activities, trips, visits, graduations, and holiday celebrations. Family vacations were special and included summertime at Crystal Lake, Michigan, winter ski trips to Colorado, and spring breaks in Florida. This tradition has carried on with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bruce and Neila had many friends and in later years enjoyed travelling, bicycling, theater and various functions with other couples.

Neila was preceded in death by her husband Bruce, her mother (Eleanor Stratman Mueller), father (Dr. Charles M. Mueller), brother (Charles “Chuck”), sister (Jane Van Schoik) and her daughter-in-law, Cecilia Barnes. She is survived by sons Scott Barnes and Bob (Karen) Barnes, daughter Lynnette (Jeff) Hinch, grandchildren Jennifer Barnes, Kristin Barnes, Andrea (Jason) Carrier, Tyler (Colleen) Barnes, Blake Hinch, Tucker Hinch, and great-grandchildren Ella and Owen Carrier.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 2:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown. Visitation will precede the services at 1:30pm in the Gathering Room at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown, 2910 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio 45044, Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, 225 Britton Lane, Monroe, Ohio 45050, or Crystal Lake & Watershed Association, crystallakewatershed.org

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