Edward P. Barnes
Edward Preston Barnes, 71, died peacefully in his sleep at home on the morning of August 22nd. He was born in Fond du Lac on November 2, 1944, a son of Willard F. and Virginia (Mann) Barnes Sr.
Ed graduated from Goodrich High School in the class of ’63 and served in the Marines. He worked at Giddings and Lewis until retiring, after which he continued to volunteer for numerous community organizations, attend arts and music events, and travel with his family. Ed was the consummate joker, he loved to talk to everyone, especially strangers and he was always up for a new adventure, including sky diving for the first time at the age of 67.
Ed is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughters, Christine (Michael) McAllister of Cortez, CO, Sherry (Mark White) Barnes of Sitka, Alaska, Julie (Jim) Potisk of Cortez, CO, and Lisa (Lee Chato) Barnes of Middleton, WI; his grandchildren, Shawn and Eric McAllister, Alexander Potisk, and Cali White; his siblings, Georgiana (Mike) Enfelt of Fond du Lac, Willard (Sylvia) Barnes of San Antonio, Texas, Wynard (Betty) Barnes of Louisville, KY, Roy (Vicki) Barnes of Fond du Lac, Pauline Barnes of Fond du Lac, Vernon Barnes of Fond du Lac, Jay (Diane) Barnes of Clearwater, FL, James (Patti) Barnes of Clearwater, FL, and Cherrie (Gary) Hall of Bradenton, FL; Sister-in-law, Mary (Dave) Beaster, brothers-in-law Jim (Kathy) Simon and Don (Judy) Simon, and other relatives and friends.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Ann Ruth; his brothers, Paul Barnes and Bruce Barnes; his sisters, Renee Wondra, Sharon Minnick, and Barbara Barnes; his brothers-in-law Gerald Simon, John Simon, and Michael Simon and sister-in-law, Sue Simon.
Ed was Commander of American Legion Post 75, President of Salute the Troops, member of the Navy Club, past president of FDL Evening Lions, volunteer driver for eye donation, past president of FDL Jaycees, past president Bay Area Agency on Aging, chairman for Senior Center Site Selection Committee, past president Community Council on Human Concerns, past president G&L Credit Union, member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, and the Eagles, and helped with the UW FDL Arboretum, Salvation Army, Loaves and Fishes, Rienzi Cemetery, Library Board, and FDL Concert Association. He was a Universal Blood Donor (over thirty gallons). Ed petitioned for the creation of the September 11th Hero Stamp and served on many fundraising committees for groups like the YMCA, the United Way, AARP, and the Art Center.
Visitation: Ed’s family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at the Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, and again, on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 4th Street Way, from 9:00 to 9:45 AM.
Service: A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. A burial with full military honors provided by American Legion Post #75 will follow mass at Rienzi Cemetery.
A tribute to Ed Barnes can be found at www.salutethetroopswi.org
Zacherl Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com