Barger

Joan Cousins Ion Barger, 92, of Karns City, went to be with the Lord early Saturday morning, March 8, 2025, in the presence of her loving family, at Parker Personal Care.

Joan was born Aug. 29, 1932, in Petrolia. She was the daughter of the late McClelland K. and Adda May Roudebush Cousins.

She attended school in Karns City and was a lifelong active member of the Karns City Church of God of Prophecy. She was a member of the well-known Cousins Sisters Gospel Singers. Joan had been employed in the housekeeping department at Butler Memorial Hospital for more than 15 years. She was a loving and dedicated homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, George J. Ion, whom she married on Sept. 23, 1955. Mr. Ion passed away Nov. 7, 1991. Joan married Howard E. Barger on Aug. 14, 1999. He preceded her in death on March 27, 2015.

Surviving are two sons, Bishop Alan J. Ion and his wife, Jackie, of Parker, and Tracy J. Ion and his wife, Barbara E., of Karns City; a daughter, Sonya J. Bell and her husband, Joe, of Chicora; grandchildren, Taylor K. Stanton and her husband, James, of Kittanning, Alana Fulton and her husband, Ron, of Connellsville, Amanda Harbaugh and her husband, Matthew, of Rockwood, Erin Riveria and her husband, Josue, of Philadelphia, Gina Flanders of Ford City, Shaun Ion and his wife, Molly, of McCandless Township, and Jeremiah Ion (Hazy) of Zelienople; great-grandchildren, “Gabe,” Cooper, Noah, Ava, Trevor and Landon; a brother, Virgil R. Cousins and his wife, Sandra, of Karns City; and three sisters, Betty Jane Hutchison and Carol Hutchison and her husband, David, all of Chicora, and Sherry Gibson and her husband, Robert “Bob,” of Butler. Joan had a special fondness for her stepdaughter, Nancy Johns, and her children and grandchildren; her longtime friend, Debbie Smith; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, Georgie K. Ion; three sisters, Armeida McElravy; twin sister, Henrietta McElravy, an infant sister, Eleanor Cousins; a brother, McClelland “Bub” Cousins Jr.; and a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

BARGER — Friends of Joan Cousins Ion Barger, who died Saturday, March 8, 2025, will be received from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Karns City Church of God of Prophecy, 1510 Kittanning Pike, Karns City.

A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Roy Tilton, a retired Church of God of Prophecy minister, and Bishop William Luckadoo, pastor of New Eagle Church of God of Prophecy, co-officiating.

Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Karns City Church of God of Prophecy.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the HILE FUNERAL HOME of Karns City.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.