Arthur H. Barner passed away peacefully at his home on February 24, 2021. He was born on July 12, 1921 in Pontiac, MO to Sam and Ida (Wilbanks) Barner. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years Retha (Jones), brothers Elza, Gene, Jim, sister Elsie (Alcorn) and son Richard and daughter-in-law Donna (McCracken). Arthur is survived by son Wendell (Ellen) of Steubenville, OH; daughter Joyce Allen (Mike) of Joplin, MO; granddaughters Nichole Harvey, Brandi (Nick) Frisbee, Stephanie (Josh) Howard, and grandson Chris (Lisa) Allen; and eight greatgrandchildren; brothers Bill, Gerald, and Fred and sisters Laverne Dutcher, Mary Ruth (Si) Larsen, Danny Kaye Barner, and Carolyn McCorkle. After graduating from Gainesville High School, Gainesville, MO in 1941, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard serving as a personnel officer from 1943 to 1945. After his service to the country, he married Retha Jones of Isabella, MO on May 19, 1946 and later moved to Springfield, MO to begin a career and family. Arthur began his 40-year career in banking at Citizen’s Bank (Commerce) in 1947 serving on the management staff. He obtained a Certificate of Business Administration from Drury College and attended the Bank Auditing School at the University of Iowa. While at Commerce Bank, Arthur opened branch offices located on North Glenstone and Chestnut Expressway and Battlefield and Fremont. In 1976, he joined Empire Bank opening the North Kansas Expressway branch office location. He retired as Vice President and manager of this location. Arthur served in many community and business organizations. From 1958-1960, he was President of the Springfield Commercial Club and served as a committee member rewriting the Springfield City Charter during the 1960’s. In 1968, Arthur was President of the Southwest Missouri Chapter of Bank Administration Institute, advancing to State Director in 1970-1972. He served as a board member of the Greene County Chapter of the American Cancer Society from 1969- 1986 and as President of the North Springfield Betterment Association from 1985-1986. Arthur joined the Kiwanis Club in 1973, advancing to President of the Battlefield Kiwanis Club and later the Springfield North Kiwanis Club. He achieved the lifetime membership award in 1985, was bestowed the Kiwanis Legion of Honor for 25 years of service, and later receiving the Les Mace Fellowship award for his 40-year commitment to the Springfield North Kiwanis Club. After retirement Arthur enjoyed expanding his life-long passion of bass fishing to include research work for the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Tom Mann’s Fish World of Eufalla, Alabama. He enjoyed traveling with wife Retha, her sister Jeri Kelley and husband Don. Acquiring a lake house on Table Rock Lake was a life-long goal and was enjoyed by the extended family and giving Arthur many days of fishing and relaxing with Retha and boating with the grandkids. One of the highlights of his later years was the participation in the Honor Flight to Washington DC with other World War II veterans and receiving an award for Patriotic Service from the State of Missouri in recognition of his bravery and sacrifice during World War II. He enjoyed regaling family and friends with stories of growing up on a farm, childhood pranks, yodeling to get Retha’s attention and avidly reading books on history, wars, and biographies of generals. Art was a member of First General Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri. The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, honoring his long-term service. Submit checks with memo “funds to stay in Springfield, MO” to P.O. BOX 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Funeral services will be held Tuesday March 2, 2021 Greenlawn Funeral Home, 441 West Battlefield, Springfield, MO. Viewing will be from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, service from 1:00 pm to 2 pm and graveside from 2:30 pm at Eastlawn Cemetery, 2244 East Pythian Street, Springfield, MO.