BOONE, Iowa—The Lord took Joseph (Kenny) Barnes, 95, to Himself Sunday, December 6, 2020, leaving a loving family as he finished his earthly life. A family service will be held at Schroeder Stark Welin Funeral Chapel Wednesday, Dec 9th for family only. Open visitation will be Tuesday Dec 8th from 11 AM – 6:00 PM
Kenny was born in Boone January 2, 1925, the son of Elmer and Nellie (Keeling) Barnes. He was baptized in the First Baptist Church at 12 years of age and was currently a member of First Evangelical Free Church, having served faithfully in various ministries, including the AWANA program and Trustee Board.
He graduated from Boone High School January 1943 and on April 20th was inducted into the UA Army Air Force where he served until September 10, 1945 receiving an honorable discharge and service medals. His combat duty included 51 missions as a gunner on a B-24 flying over Romania, Germany, Yugoslavia and Austria on bombing runs from the 15th Air Force Unit base in Foggia, Italy. This included flights over the Ploesti oil fields which were heavily fortified. One flight ended with the damaged plane abandoned as the crew bailed out fortunately over friendly territory.
Following his discharge as S/Sgt, Kenny returned home and attended Boone Junior College, receiving an AA degree in science and was immediately hired by Iowa Electric Light and Power where he continued as an electrician until his retirement in 1984. He also owned and operated Kenny’s Radio & TV Service from 1967 to 2010. While in college, he and fellow classmates were instrumental in organizing and playing on the first baseball team at Boone J.C. The program transitioned to DMACC and continues to this day. His lifelong enthusiasm continued and he played in town leagues for many years, after which he became the neighborhood “coach/manager” of neighborhood kids who played behind his back yard. He was a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan for over 83 years, enjoying many trips to their stadium.
Kenny loved old country and gospel music and Branson was a favorite vacation destination with family and friends.
He was married to Joan Wenzel in February 1950, and they were blessed with a daughter Jennifer and son Kevin. Following Joan’s death in 1986, he later married Helen McGehee on January 28, 1988.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joan, his parents, two brothers; Charles and James Barnes, and two sisters; Joanne Nystrom and Wilma Pollard.
He is survived by his wife, Helen; son Kevin (Kim) Barnes of Springdale, AR; daughter Jennifer (David) Best of Urbandale, IA; stepdaughters Amy (Craig) Shafer of Boone, IA, Laura McGehee of Boone, IA, and Melissa (Don) DeLong of Council Bluffs, IA. Also surviving are ten grandchildren; Brad (Anna Marie) Borst, Mathew Borst, Andrew Borst, Olivia Barnes, Chris, Shafer, Alyssa (Erik Brandau) Shafer, Steve (Nicole) DeLong, Mallory (Alonzo) DeLong, Alyssa and Alec Best, and 5 great-grandchildren; Christian, Carson, Kennedy, Zoey, Maliyah, and two more on the way.
His wishes are to be remembered as a devoted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, dedicated to serving Him, and giving thanks for a faith that has sustained and endured forever. A man of prayer, he modeled the Christian life for his family, leading and teaching them to worship the Lord Jesus.
Memorials may be directed to the First Evangelical Free Church.
Friends may view the funeral service being live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/SchroederStarkWelin at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Kenny Barnes, 95, Boone, Iowa
