DICK BARNES
DICK BARNES
Dick Barnes, son of Ben and Sadie Barnes, was born on the family farm near Lamoni, Iowa on November 16, 1923 and departed this life on December 13, 2012 while in the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Dick was welcomed into the family by one brother, Bill; two older sisters, Margaret and Ruth and one brother, Robert, who died at birth.
After graduating from Lamoni high school, he attended Chillicothe Business College in Missouri, often hitchhiking. The story goes he won the college ping-pong tournament.
On September 19, 1943, he married Patricia C. Fleming of Mount Ayr, celebrating their 69th anniversary this year. After spending their wedding night in Creston, Iowa they moved to his grandfather’s farm in Riley township and spent their entire lives there until Dick entered the nursing home in 2007. Grandson Travis and family now live on the heritage farm. To this union were born two children, Beverlee Ann and Terry Michael. He also influenced the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dick really enjoyed his Hereford cattle, looking forward to the white-faced calves in the spring and chopping corn for them in the winter. Hogs — not so enjoyable, but he raised a lot of them. He was always happy to sell hogs but hated to part with his cattle.
Grandpa Dick loved his family and relished the extended family gatherings and events such as vacations to Canada and Idaho, watching ball games, weekend farm projects, mowing, painting, moving cattle and eating together at the end of the day. Every season brought on Patti’s new decorations, inside and out, and her beautiful changing flower beds. Even though he grumbled about the cost and amount of decorations, he always enjoyed sharing it with his friends, neighbors and family.
He served as Riley township clerk and member of the ASC committee. Dick was a charter member of the Kellerton Lions Club and told great stories about the annual Kellerton reunion, serving up tail twisters and lion tamer hamburgers. He was awarded several pins recognizing his contribution for donating several gallons of blood and was a member of the Kellerton Methodist Church.
Dick was honored to serve as a Ringgold county supervisor for 17 years; making lasting friendships within the county and throughout the state.
In 1987 Dick was stricken by a debilitating stroke. Blood clots were threatening his life — they affected his vision, speech, left leg and left arm. But with lots of prayers, support and therapy and help from Patti, Bev, Vern, Mike and Kevin, four months later Dick left Methodist Hospital in Des Moines and headed for home. Continued therapy allowed him to drive, socialize, chore and, of course, mow Grandma’s yard again. The stroke slowed the pace for Dick and he spent many hours on the deck enjoying neighbors, friends and family. ‘Happy Hour’ was an often-used phrase when Dick wanted to hit the deck.
Travis, Shannon and their high school friends would pack Dick up in the pickup to check fence, feed cows and whatever high school kids do. Kevin and Grandpa shared a ‘special’ gravy recipe. The baseball conversations and storytelling between Mike and Grandpa were extensive.
When Travis came back to farm, Dick spent many hours riding shotgun; feeding cows, checking fences and making Patti wonder where he was. With the dedicated help and commitment of family (always with Terry and Peg’s direction), Dick enjoyed many more years on the farm.
Dick spent five years in the Clearview Nursing Home. While not necessarily his ‘first’ choice, Clearview offered opportunities for new friends (especially Henry) and relationships for both Dick and his family. Low and behold there were ‘happy hours’ at Clearview too.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Sadie Barnes; father and mother-in-law, George and Mary Fleming; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Burton Rood and Ruth and Ragan McCay; brothers, Bill Barnes and Robert Barnes (infant); great-granddaughter, Somer Barnes; adopted son-in-law, Paul Westcott, and Lola Terwilliger, (Granny T.).
Dick is survived by his faithful wife, Patti of Lamoni, Iowa; daughter, Beverlee Adams and husband Vern of Grimes, Iowa; son, Terry Barnes and wife Peggy of Lamoni, Iowa; four grandsons, Michael Adams (and Jenny) of Burnsville, Minnesota, Travis Barnes (and Tessa) of Lamoni, Iowa, Shannon Barnes (and Tracy) of Tingley, Iowa and Kevin Adams of Des Moines, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Abigail and Dalton Barnes of Lamoni, Iowa, Halsie, Linsie and Kensie Barnes of Tingley, Iowa and Taylor and Joshua Adams of Burnsville, Minnesota, and his very special adopted family including Kathy Westcott and Chandra, Kevin, Alexia and Kamryn Henrichs of Des Moines, Iowa and Aaron, Nicki, Draven and Wyatt Westcott of Carlisle, Iowa.
A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later.
Services were conducted at the United Methodist Church in Kellerton on Monday, December 17, 2012 with Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating. Musicians were Sandy Campbell and Dick and Camille Jackson.
Casket bearers included Aaron Westcott, Chandra Henrichs, Travis Barnes, Shannon Barnes, Mike Adams and Kevin Adams.
Burial was in the Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton.
