Our History
A Legacy of Faith, Family, and Service
The Clarence and Rita Barhorst Charitable Trust was established as a lasting gift from two remarkable people whose lives were defined by faith, generosity, and devotion to others.
What began as a simple act of love, a husband and wife working side by side to raise a family and serve their parish, has become a foundation that continues to nurture Catholic communities across generations.
Clarence’s Story
Clarence William Barhorst was born on March 31, 1930, in Sidney, Ohio, the fourth of five children raised in a modest farmhouse without electricity or indoor plumbing. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance. When his father’s health declined, sixteen-year-old Clarence assumed full responsibility for the family farm, rising before dawn to milk cows, tend fields, and manage the daily chores that sustained their livelihood.
His discipline and quiet leadership defined him for life. Clarence graduated as Salutatorian of Holy Angels High School, known for his wit, humility, and sharp mind. He often joked that the only “C” he ever earned was in conduct.
Over the years, Clarence became deeply involved in the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight and as a 4th Degree member of the St. Gasper del Bufalo Assembly in Minster, Ohio, where he was also a former Faithful Navigator. His decades of service earned him numerous honors, including the Class Honoree Distinction Award in recognition of his lifetime dedication.
Clarence was known for treating everyone equally, whether they were a priest, a plumber, or a passerby. He lived by example, teaching his children to finish every task they started, to stand by their word, and to serve others with integrity. He often said, “Right always wins.”
Rita’s Story
Rita Helen Caulfield was born on July 4, 1932, in Piqua, Ohio, the fifth of six children and a beacon of warmth from the very beginning. When she was nine years old, her father, the local fire chief, died suddenly after fighting a fire. His loss left a deep mark on Rita’s heart and a lifelong desire to care for others.
After graduating from Piqua Catholic High School in 1950, Rita began working at Rike’s Department Store in Dayton, commuting by bus with her sisters each day. Her gentle humor and steadfast faith made her beloved by everyone who knew her.
When Clarence first asked her out, she politely turned him down, a story that became a favorite family legend. His persistence, however, won her heart, and the two were married in 1953. Rita was the first in her family to wed, proudly purchasing her satin-and-lace wedding dress for just $50, using her employee discount.
She transitioned from city life to the rhythms of the farm with grace and strength, helping with hay baling, milking cows, and feeding calves, all while raising six spirited children. Rita’s kitchen was the heart of their home, always filled with laughter, food, and the comforting scent of something baking. Her two favorite questions, “Did you eat?” and “Did you get enough to eat?” summed up her nurturing spirit.
Rita’s deep prayer life anchored her family. Her faith was vibrant, joyful, and unwavering. She prayed daily, kept handwritten prayer journals, and was known for her quiet conviction that prayer could change any circumstance. Those who knew her best often said she had “a direct line to God.”
Clarence And Rita
A Life Built Together
Together, Clarence and Rita created a home rooted in love, laughter, and faith. Life on the farm was demanding, but they faced every challenge hand in hand. They taught their children that work was honorable, faith was essential, and service to others was a calling.
The Barhorst household was always full of motion and meaning, children helping with chores, family dinners filled with teasing and storytelling, and weekends devoted to parish life. Clarence’s sharp wit and Rita’s warmth balanced each other perfectly. Where Clarence provided strength and structure, Rita brought tenderness and light.
After retiring from farming, the couple managed a Dairy Queen in Greenville, Ohio, for over two decades, turning even that business into an extension of their ministry of kindness. They became well-known for greeting every customer with a smile and taking a genuine interest in their stories.
In later years, they enjoyed traveling together as “snowbirds,” praying the rosary as they drove. Clarence could tell you the car’s mileage; Rita could tell you exactly how many rosaries it took to reach their destination.
Their love was steady, enduring, and joyful, an inspiration to everyone around them. Married for 69 years, they remained inseparable until Rita’s passing in 2022, followed soon by Clarence.
Continuing the Legacy
Clarence Barhorst established the Clarence Arena Barhorst Charitable Trust as a lasting gift, one that continues to support Catholic organizations and meaningful work in the community. Each grant given in their name carries forward the same spirit that guided their lives: quiet generosity, firm faith, and a belief that love, when shared, multiplies.
From a humble farmhouse to a lasting foundation of faith, Clarence and Rita’s story reminds us that the simplest lives, when lived in love, leave the most profound legacies.