Staff

Charlie was the founder and first generation of Barndt Funeral Home.  He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Collinwood High School in 1950.  Charlie then joined the military; he was in the United States Army from 1952-1954 stationed at Fort Myers in Washington D.C. where he was an Old Guard.  After he was honorably discharged from the Army, Charlie attended Ohio University for 4 years, 1954-1958, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree.  Also at Ohio University, Charlie met who would soon be his future wife, Barbara L. Seiffert.  After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University he attended the Cincinnati College of Embalming, where he was a graduate of in 1959.  Charlie and Barb then moved to East Cleveland where Charlie served his apprenticeship at Flynn-Froelke Funeral Home, and became a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in 1960.  He continued to work there for 2 years.  In October of 1961 Charlie and Barb moved to Wayne, Ohio and bought Baublitz  Funeral Home.  In 1968 they bought Sage Funeral Home, and ran both businesses for 11 years.  In 1979 they consolidated both funeral homes in the Wayne location.  During their ownership of Barndt Funeral Home, Charlie and Barb ran the town Fire Bell for 5 years, and they also ran the town Ambulance Service for 16 years (1961-1977).  In September of 1994 Charlie sold the business to his eldest son, Douglas Barndt.  He was the founder and first generation of Barndt Funeral Home for 33 years; making it 50+ years that he was licensed.  Charlie sadly passed away on April 9, 2023.

Barbara was part of the first generation, along with Charlie, at Barndt Funeral Home.  She grew up in Sydney, Ohio, and graduated from Sydney High School in 1955.  Barb then attended Ohio University for four years (1955-1959), and earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Speech and Hearing Therapy.  She met Charlie at Ohio University, and they got married shortly after.  Barb moved to Cleveland with Charlie while he served his apprenticeship and worked at Flynn-Froelke Funeral Home.  In Cleveland, Barb worked for Bedford Schools for one year as a Speech and Hearing Therapist.  Then in 1961 they moved to Wayne, Ohio and bought Baublitz Funeral Home.  For the first few years of living in Wayne, Barb subbed at the Wayne School, and worked as a private Speech and Hearing Therapist.  In 1964 however, Barb decided that she would like to become a Funeral Director, and started her apprenticeship under husband, Charlie.  After her 2 year apprenticeship, Barb became a licensed Funeral Director in 1966 and helped take over funeral home operations.  She was one of the first women funeral directors in the area who obtained her license from completing apprenticeship under her husband.  Barb was also licensed for 50 plus years. Sadly, Barb passed away on January 31, 2023.

Doug is the second generation, and previous owner of Barndt Funeral Home.  He grew up in Wayne, Ohio, and was a 1979 graduate of Elmwood High School.  He then attended Bowling Green State University for two years before attending the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he graduated from in the spring of 1983.  After graduating from college Doug came back to the Findlay area and served his apprenticeship at the Coldren Crates Funeral Home, and became a licensed embalmer and funeral director in 1984.  Also in 1984 Doug married Lisa Steinman, and in the following years they had two children; Brian & Dannielle.  He continued to work for Coldren Crates Funeral Home in Findlay, and then at the Smith Crates Funeral Home in North Baltimore for 11 years before returning to Wayne in 1994; when he bought and took over funeral home operations from his parents, Charlie & Barb.  As of 2024, Doug has been serving Wayne, and the surrounding communities for 30 years, and has been licensed for over 37 years.  Doug is still very active in the family business.

Lisa is the wife of Doug Barndt, second generation and current owner of Barndt Funeral Home.  She is kept very busy as an RNC and the Director of the Wood County Hospital's Family Birthing Center, however, she still manages to help out at the Funeral Home as an Attendant whenever possible.  One of our main events Lisa always helps with is our annual holiday remembrance program.

Dannielle is the third generation owner of Barndt Funeral Home.  She is the daughter of Doug and Lisa Barndt, grew up in Wayne, Ohio, and was a 2008 graduate of Elmwood High School.  Dannielle then attended the University of Findlay for two years (2008-2010) to complete some undergraduate classes before attending the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in the fall of 2010.  She graduated from CCMS in December 2011 with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science, served her apprenticeship under her father, Doug at Barndt Funeral Home from December 2011-December 2012, and then became a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in early 2013.  In May 2021, Dannielle purchased Barndt Funeral Home from her Dad, Doug, and became the new owner.

In 2015, Dannielle and husband, Kirk Sidle started their beautiful family with the birth of their first son, Taylor B. Sidle, and a year later had their second son, Chance H. Sidle. Their newest family member joined them in February of 2024, a sweet little boy named Tucker W. Sidle. 

Karrie Houtz recently joined Barndt Funeral Home in July 2024 as the funeral homes Office Manager.  She brings with her a vast amount of knowledge on Wood County Ohio and emergency services in our area.  She was employed by the Wood County Sheriff's Office for nearly 19 years and left as a Corporal dispatcher in 9-1-1 Communications Center.  She went from assisting in saving people’s lives to being a part of the funeral process.  She is understanding and sympathetic to the families of loved ones who have passed and willing to do whatever needs done to help.  Karrie has been happily married to Jerry Houtz Jr. since April of 2014 and they have a beautiful, blended family that consists of 4 adult sons & 2 daughters-in-law: Jake, Zach and Aleah Baker, Jared, Korrin & Justin Houtz and 1 adult daughter Madison Baker. 

Harry Reynolds has been with Barndt Funeral Home since 2017.  He is always available to help out with anything and loves to provide little toys and $2 bills for the children that attend the showings and funerals.  He is retired from the United States Postal Service and now enjoys serving his community.  He enjoys delivering meals for the Wood County Committee on Aging and assisting with the local food pantry donations.  He also attends the Wayne United Methodist Church and likes to par take in the annual apple dumpling baking process.  

Jamie has been a dedicated employee working as the Grounds Maintenance Crew for Barndt Funeral Home since 2010.