Michael “Barney” Oldfield, 79, of Beaver, passed away on June 23rd, 2025, at Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver after a six-year battle with cancer.
He was born in Santa Rosa, California on January 30th, 1946, a son of Bryan Oldfield and Frances Faden Oldfield. He is survived by his wife, Lynette Schmidt, his sons, Michael (Danielle) Oldfield, Paul (Tanya) Oldfield, Kevin (Stephanie) Oldfield, his daughter, Deanne Oldfield Hoppe, his grandchildren: Emily Oldfield, Alexander Hoppe, Mason Hoppe, Jasmine Hoppe, Milo Oldfield, and Weston Oldfield, his brother, Bruce Oldfield, his sister, Sharon Graham; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.
Michael grew up in rural Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California. As a child, he participated in 4H, a youth development organization, winning a blue ribbon for the prize bull he raised. After high school, he applied and was accepted into the California Highway patrol Academy where he graduated top in his class on the written exam, not as well on the driving test. After it was discovered that he was the grandnephew of Barney Oldfield, the famous race car driver, he was playfully given the nickname “Barney” which remained thereafter. Working as an officer in San Francisco, the shy young man soon learned the communication skills he needed to deal with the many situations he encountered. Later, with a lot of stories to tell, he shared only the funny or bizarre to whom ever would listen. Being a very good storyteller, there was always a willing listener. After 10 years of service in CHP, Mike moved to Palm Springs, California where he became a hotel resort manager specializing in group meetings which allowed him to meet interesting, even famous people and gather more stories. The most interesting were his coworkers, where friendship bonds were forged forever and where he met his future wife, Lynette. In a desire to get back to his “roots” he enrolled in College of the Desert’s program for Turf Grass Management and Horticulture. He worked and played multiple golf courses, even participating in group tournaments. Mike especially enjoyed designing and creating beautiful desert landscape gardens for clients in Palm Springs In the mid-90s, he and his wife relocated to Pittsburgh, where she was from. He began a career in the airline industry as a ramp manager for PSA Airlines in Pittsburgh and Piedmont Airlines in Philadelphia, which once again forged friendships he cherished.
Michael was a beloved husband, father, brother, mentor and friend who did and will inspire us to live and share our life story like he shared his.
A celebration of his life will be announced in the near future. A favorite garden plaque of Michael’s has an exert from the poem “God’s Garden” by Dorothy Frances Gurney, which is:
The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the birds for mirth
One is nearer God’s heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth
Professional Arrangements were entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and aides who helped him in this battle.