Gerald Duane Barnes
Visitation: Friday, March 15, 2019 from 5-7 P.M. at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD.
Funeral Service: Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Crossroads Missionary Church 22605 M-60, Mendon, MI at 11 A.M.
Luncheon: In the church fellowship hall following the church service.
Gerald D. Barnes, age 94, of Leonidas, MI, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Ascension Borgess Hospital, in Kalamazoo after several months of failing health.
Gerald (those from grade school knew him as “Duane”, in Leonidas as “Joe”, and in Battle Creek as “Jerry”) was born in Fulton, MI, Nov. 17, 1924, son of the late Perry and Eola Barnes. He attended the “Stone School” in Leonidas, graduated from Colon H.S. in 1942, and attended Argubright Business College for a year. He married Vera H. Kellogg in 1944 in Battle Creek. He is survived by his daughter, Karolynn Ferguson of Battle Creek; son Charles (Laree) Barnes of Lagrange, Georgia; granddaughter, Courtney (Will) James, and great granddaughter, Amelia of Kalamazoo and step-granddaughters and step-great grandchildren in Georgia. He was preceded in death by his sister Lorna (Duane) Northam.
Gerald was drafted into WWII and served 2 years with the U.S. Army and honorably discharged, Dec. 1946. Gerald was then employed for 40 years with Post Cereals Carton and Container Division, Battle Creek – retiring in 1983. He was the former treasurer and member of Leonidas Bible Church, former Leonidas Township trustee, and former member of Leonidas Fire Department.
Family and friends will be received 5-7 p.m., Friday, Mar. 15 at the Schipper Funeral home LTD. in Colon, MI. Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 16 at Crossroads Missionary Church, 22605 M-60, Mendon, MI. A private family burial will be held Monday, at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be made to: St. Joseph County Commission on Aging, 103 S. Douglas, Three Rivers, MI 49093 (www.sjccoa.com) or Crossroads Missionary Church. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.Schipperfuneralhome.com
March 13, 2019 @ 1:22 am
To Chuck & Karolyn & your families,
I am sorry to hear of your father passing. Please know that m thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Susan Warlick Rice, Class of 1967
Peoria, AZ
March 13, 2019 @ 6:29 pm
Karolynn
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and the rest of your family.
Kathy Domenico
March 13, 2019 @ 11:23 pm
To the family of Jerry Barnes with my deepest sympathy. Jerry and Vera were part of our Super Sixties Plus group, that met at the Sturgis Missionary Church. Jerry also attended our Joyful Hymn Sing. He was a wonderful Christian man and will be greatly missed. May God comfort your hearts with the knowledge that he is with his Lord and has no more pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Beth E. Gerig
March 14, 2019 @ 1:47 pm
To Chuck Barnes nd family, Nicole and I wanted to offer our condolences for the passing of your father. I always enjoyed conversations with him and am very sorry for your loss.
March 16, 2019 @ 4:20 am
There was never a more patient man. A true gentleman.