Obituary of Sonny Barnes

Coffeyville - Sonny L. Barnes, born, 1929, in Galena, Missouri, died Saturday, March 1 at Jane Philips Memorial Hospital in Bartlesville. He was 84. Mr. Barnes had been seriously ill for quite some time but, with extensive caregiving by his wife Janita and Michael, a son, he remained at his Caney home until the very end. Mr. Barnes had been a longtime resident of Coffeyville and rural Dearing. His occupation was electrician. He went to work for what was then called the Missouri Pacific Railroad at the age of sixteen, retiring after forty-four years from the same company, which had been absorbed by the Union Pacific. His reputation as a self-starter and strident, dedicated worker was legendary. The wide territory he installed and maintained included much of Kansas, as well as parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Sonny Barnes wed Janita (Anderson) Barnes in LaCrosse, Kansas, in September, 1947. Three sons were born to their union. Mrs. Barnes kept books for Singer Co. and Kanoma Co-op in Coffeyville, as well as Medicalodge, where she also served as activities director. The Barnes' were married 66 years. Family survivors include sons Graham, Michael, and John Ross Barnes of Topeka, Caney, and Portland, Oregon, respectively, as well as grandchildren Aaron Barnes of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Amelia Combes and Aaron Paul Barnes of Portland, Oregon. Great grandchildren are Erik and Alexandra Barnes of Minneapolis. Marcelyn Jandreau, Mr. Barnes' sister, lives with her husband in Panama. Funeral services will be held 1:30 Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Coffeyville, of which Mr. Barnes was a member and former trustee, Pastor Richard Peckman officiating. Mr. Barnes will rest in Robbins Cemetery, right across the road from the farm on which he and Mrs. Barnes lived for nearly forty years. Friends may call on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. David W. Barnes Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.