Byron J. “Barney” Best, 82, of Callensburg, Clarion County, died Saturday afternoon at the Clarion Hospital after a brief illness.

Born Oct. 29, 1924, in West Monterey, Clarion County, he was the son of Jesse Oliver and Jennie Cope Best.

He was a longtime member of the Callensburg Church of God, where he served in any capacity called upon. He also was a lay pastor at the Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Sligo and at the Bear Creek Rest Home, now the Parker Rest Home, in Parker.

Mr. Best, an honorably discharged Army veteran, served as a medic with various medical units during World War II.

He retired as a machinist at the Glass Containers Corp. of Parker after 32 years of service; and he served a six-year term as a Licking Township supervisor in Clarion County.

He was a member of Canby Lodge F&AM 521 of St. Petersburg; and in recent years, he received his 50-year certificate of membership.

He enjoyed hunting, gardening and working with machines and engines.

Surviving are his wife, Florence Janice Heeter Best, whom he married Oct. 29, 1949; two daughters, Juanita Jean “Peach” King of Callensburg and Patti Jan Altman of Shippenville; a son, Byron J. “Jack” Best Jr. of Callensburg; a sister, Ruby Harkless of Callensburg; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and an infant brother and infant sister.

BEST — Friends of Byron J. “Barney” Best, who died Saturday, May 12, 2007, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Wayne Street, Parker. Visitation also will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Callensburg Church of God, where funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Larry Rapp, church pastor, and the Rev. Korona Say, pastor of the Park Hill Church of God, officiating. Burial will be at the Callensburg Cemetery.Members of Canby Lodge F& AM 521 of St. Petersburg will hold services at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.Members of the Parker VFW and American Legion will a provide veteran’s memorial service at the church after the funeral.