From the Country Concert Facebook page-

8-25-24

The entire Barhorst & Country Concert family is deeply saddened to inform you that our Mother & co-founder of Country Concert, Mary Jo Barhorst, passed away peacefully on August 22nd at her home in Fort Loramie. She spent her last evening with family, friends & faithful dog Emma by her side. Her work here on Earth was complete & she was welcomed with open arms by Dad, her infant son Jimmy, many of the Hickory Nut Gang,, many more family members & friends. We want to thank her for showing us how to welcome everyone with a warm smile, be kind to each other & enjoy life! She was the glue and compass to Dad’s drive and energy. They shared a vision & dream that continues today. We thank her for teaching us by example to operate Country Concert and live life with caring compassion & treat everyone like family. We want to thank over 43 years of amazing fans, staff, sponsors, organizations, entertainers, many local groups, people of Fort Loramie, Newport, all the surrounding communities and EVERYONE that helped/helps Country Concert for making Mike & Mary Jo’s visions & dreams come true.

The Barhorst & CC family will honor Mom & Dad’s wishes by carrying on their tradition of operating Country Concert and living life with the same PASSION & HEART! Click here vimeo.com/967816916 for the final interview with Mom recorded in February of 2024. She starts with her early childhood years 0 – 1:45, meeting Dad, courtship, wedding, family, Elvis concert 1:45-5:00, Farm life, idea for starting Hickory Hill Lakes Campground, first campground party, 5:00 – 7:30, County Concert 1981 7:30 mark, Mom’s favorite acts: 10:40 Johnny Cash, 90’s country, Montgomery Gentry, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins plus Taylor Swift 14:20, Mom’s love for the fans and all the people that have made Country Concert what it is today 15:00 beginning with that 1st party to how YOU made Country Concert & our 43rd year possible!

Thanks for the memories & we look forward to continuing the tradition and making many more memories with you in their honor! We appreciate all the kind words, thoughts & prayers!

Obituary

Mary Jo Barhorst age 84 of Fort Loramie, Ohio, died on, August 22, 2024 at her home in Fort Loramie. She was born on February 16, 1940 in Minster, Ohio to the late Bernard & Elizabeth (Wissman) Budde.  She married Michael J. Barhorst on June 25, 1958 in St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster and he preceded her in death on March 1, 2017. She is also survived by children: Tony & Pam Barhorst, Brookville, Ohio, Brian Barhorst & Ulli Heidmann, Honolulu, HI, Mark & Kathy Barhorst, Grand Lake St. Marys, Scott Barhorst, Fort Loramie, Paul & Shelly Barhorst, Fort Loramie, 8 grandchildren:   Jack, Keith, Anna, Claudia, Taylor, Elizabeth “Liz”, Maria and Ben, 2 step grandchildren: Jessi & Jamie, 1 step great grandson Carter Lee, 9 great grandchildren: Austin, Dexter, Clay, Callie Rose, Marley, Dane, Brooks, Emry, Walker,  brothers: Joe & Kathy Budde Seattle, WA & Tony & Lucy Budde Richland, WA in-laws Norman & Janet Barhorst, Fort Loramie, Sam & Patty Barhorst, Fort Loramie, Nelson & Joyce Barhorst, Fort Loramie, Kathy & Bud Link, Celina, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by son James “Jimmy” Leo Barhorst, in-laws John & Ruth Barhorst, sister Barbara Barhorst and Ann Barhorst.    

Mary Jo was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Newport.  She graduated from Minster High School.   She was the founder with her husband Michael of Hickory Hill Lakes Campground in 1971 and of Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lakes in 1981. She was part of the “Golden Girls” card club for 66 years. She loved spending time with her family and traveling in their motor home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Newport, Ohio. Burial will follow in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery Newport.  Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 28 and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 29.

In Lieu of Flowers the family requests donations be made to Fort Loramie Fire Department & Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.