Duane “Barney” H. Schultz, 81, of Ainsworth, passed from this life on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at his home in Ainsworth with his family by his side. A funeral service will be held Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at 10 a.m., at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. Burial with full military honors will follow at Oregon Township Cemetery in Ainsworth. Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, from 1 – 7 p.m., at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington, where the family will greet friends from 3 – 7 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Ainsworth QRS and Hospice of Washington County.
Duane “Barney” H. Schultz was born Dec. 18, 1941, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Howard and Ethyle (Wilson) Schultz. He graduated from Ainsworth High School. In 1963 he enlisted in the United States Army and served until 1969. On Jan. 30, 1966, he was united in marriage to Rita Wade in Washington. Barney was a mechanic, beginning his career at Everett DX in Ainsworth, and working at various other auto repair shops until owning and operating Barney’s Auto Ainsworth. In later years he worked at the University of Iowa. Barney served the Ainsworth community in numerous ways, including as Ainsworth Marshall, city maintenance operator, city water treatment operator, and served as fire chief for 48 years. Along with his brother, George, he established the Ainsworth QRS. He was a NASCAR fan and worked on race cars and was pit crew chief for Alan Jones. Barney enjoyed attending his grandkid’s sporting events, fishing, shopping and was the self-proclaimed golf cart marshal of Ainsworth.
Survivors include two daughters: Traci (Kevin) Vonnahme of Ainsworth and Robin (Tim) Kiefer of Crawfordsville; six grandchildren: Roman, Cleo and Layne, Taylor (Tyler), Tanner and Kaige; two great-grandchildren: Rylon and Parklynn; brother: George (Judy) Schultz; and sister-in-law: Sally Schultz.
Preceding Barney in death were his parents; his wife: Rita on Dec. 25, 2022; three brothers: Ronnie, Steve and Howard; and one sister: Sharon Gillis.
