All Eagle Valley Library District locations will be closed on Sunday, March 31. Regular library hours will resume Monday, April 1​.

Marvel Joyce (Ashlock) Barnes

Image of Marvel Barnes
Birth Date: February 3, 1931
Death Date: July 2, 1996
Age at Death: 65

Marriages

Darrell G. Barnes

Burial Details

Cemetery Name: Sunset View
Cemetery Location: Eagle, Colorado
Mortuary Name: Bailey Funeral Home, Leadville

Obituaries

Vail Daily page 4 - July 8, 1996

SERVICE SET FOR MARVEL BARNES, LIFELONG RESIDENT, 'UNSUNG HERO,' BY MARKA MOSER.
Marvel Joyce BARNES, a Red Cliff native and lifelong resident of the Eagle Valley, died July 2 at the Vail Valley Medical Center of complications from a stroke suffered the previous day in the garden of her Eagle-Vail home. She was 65.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at the Vail Interfaith Chapel. Her cremated ashes will be buried with her mother in Eagle.
A hard-working businesswoman, Marvel was employed by Rod SLIFER in property management in 1963 after she moved to Vail from Minturn. She purchased Vail Home Rentals from SLIFER in 1978 and managed the business until she retired in January.
"Marvel was my right-hand person for more than 20 years," said SLIFER, who hired her as his first employee when he began Vail Home Rentals shortly after Vail was founded. "She was a jack-of-all-trades and could handle everything from the bookkeeping to housekeeping. She was a single mom of four who was bringing home the bacon, so it was not easy for her.
"It was people like Marvel that made Vail work in those early days," SLIFER added. "She was one of those unsung heroes who established strong friendships with both the second-home owners and her employees. When we needed extra hands to help out, she would pull in family members to create a work force. She quietly gave so much to the community, but wasn't one who received much recognition for all that she did."
Vail's first physician, Dr. Tom STEINBERG, remembers Marvel because their children were close to the same ages. With so few children living in Vail during those early years, the two families were quickly connected through their kids.
As one of Vail's pioneers, STEINBERG was appreciative of how Marvel helped set the area's history for the newcomers settling into the fledgling resort of Vail. She provided a bridge between Vail and the well-established mining communities of Minturn and Red Cliff.
"Marvel was an extremely important element and one of those hardworking people who made it all tick," STEINBERG said.
Marvel's son Rick recalls his mother being on the job 12 hours a day, seven days a week. "We were all so happy for her when she finally decided to retire and take time for herself."
In addition to a busy work schedule, Marvel was a wonderful mother and a community philanthropist who spent time helping others wherever and whenever possible. She served on the board of directors of Echo Ranch and helped spearhead the original Chocolate Lover's Classic that has evolved into an extremely successful annual fundraiser for Echo Ranch, a home for troubled youth.
"Marvel was legendary in Vail," said Tsu WOLIN-BROWN, who worked with her for 11 years at Vail Home Rentals and also served with her on the board of Echo Ranch. "She gave so many people opportunities and bonded with them almost like family. My son Eric was like another grandson to her. Marvel was incredibly committed to her own kids as well as those needing help. If there was a child who needed something, like a Boy Scout who couldn't afford camp, she would anonymously make sure he could go.
"Marvel was a nurturer who instilled those same values in her children," added WOLIN-BROWN. "She made a difference. Marvel took so many people under her wing and they all became a part of her extended family."
A fun-loving person, Marvel was also known to her many friends as a clever prankster. She had a great sense of humor.
Her overwhelming sens of community commitment was also evident in the strong support she gave to the Vail Mountain Rescue Group.
Born in Red Cliff on Feb. 3, 1931, to Juanita and Howard ASHLOCK, BARNES graduated from Red Cliff High School. After moving to Gilman, she met and married Darrell BARNES of Eagle. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Bob ASHLOCK.
She is survived by her children, Linda KLAHR and Larry BARNES of Eagle, Rick BARNES of Eagle-Vail and Rita FOWLER of Durango; and three grandchidren, Wyatt BARNES of Eagle-Vail and Nicholas KLAHR and Brett KLAHR of Eagle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Echo Ranch or Vail Mountain Rescue.
Bailey Funeral Home in Leadville is in charge of arrangements.

Vail Trail - July 5, 1996

MAVEL [sic.] BARNES RED CLIFF RESIDENT.
Marvel BARNES, a life-long local, passed away on July 2, at Vail Valley Medical Center in the presence of her children.
BARNES was born to Howard and Juanita ASHLOCK on February 3, 1931, in Red Cliff, Colo. After graduating from Red Cliff High School, she and the family moved to Gilman where she met and married Darrell BARNES of Eagle.
BARNES moved to Vail in 1963 and worked for Rod SLIFER. In 1978, she purchased and operated Vail Home Rentals until her passing.
BARNES is survived by her four children Linda KLAHR and Larry BARNES, both of Eagle, Rick BARNES of Eagle-Vail, Rita FOWLER of Durango, and three grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers her family requests that memorial donations be made to those organizations.
Services will be held at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, July 10, at Vail Interfaith Chapel. Anyone wishing to share memories will be welcome to do so at that time.

Comments

EVLD