1919
Merle
2015
Merle Edward "Jack" Barnes
April 24, 1919 — April 8, 2015
Merle Edward "Jack" Barnes, 95, a lifelong Battle Creek resident died peacefully at Bronson Battle Creek on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
Jack was born in Battle Creek April 24, 1919, to Edward and Leila (Beard) Barnes. He was a 1937 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Jack served with the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII. His plane was shot down and Jack served as a German P.O.W. for a year. When asked about his time in the prison camp, he would respond, "It wasn't that bad.", typical of a member of the "Greatest Generation". Jack was employed for 42 years at Michigan Carton Company, where he missed two days of work prior to retiring in 1981, as an electrical engineer in the power plant.
Jack married Elizabeth Jean Noud on December 8, 1945 at St. Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek. He lovingly joked that the date was "one disaster after another". Surviving are "Betty" his wife of almost 70 years; two sons, John E. (Marlynn) Barnes of Jackson, MI, David (Liz) Barnes of South Haven; a granddaughter, Paula Ott; two grandsons, Brian (Shelly) Yarger, Eric (Olympia) Yarger; seven great-grandchildren, Colin Ott, Kayla Ott, Colton Yarger, Danielle Cross, Brandon Grabow, Charlotte Yarger, Clancy Johnson; and a sister, Marcia Davidson of Sarasota, FL. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Donald and a sister, Elizabeth Hack.
Jack was a good baseball player in his early years, he enjoyed bowling, basketball and sports in general. In his later years he enjoyed golfing. He was a brave man, who never complained, loved his family and friends and enjoyed life with an easy smile and a great sense of humor.
Private family services will be held for Jack's family at a later date. Military honors and inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Jack was born in Battle Creek April 24, 1919, to Edward and Leila (Beard) Barnes. He was a 1937 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Jack served with the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII. His plane was shot down and Jack served as a German P.O.W. for a year. When asked about his time in the prison camp, he would respond, "It wasn't that bad.", typical of a member of the "Greatest Generation". Jack was employed for 42 years at Michigan Carton Company, where he missed two days of work prior to retiring in 1981, as an electrical engineer in the power plant.
Jack married Elizabeth Jean Noud on December 8, 1945 at St. Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek. He lovingly joked that the date was "one disaster after another". Surviving are "Betty" his wife of almost 70 years; two sons, John E. (Marlynn) Barnes of Jackson, MI, David (Liz) Barnes of South Haven; a granddaughter, Paula Ott; two grandsons, Brian (Shelly) Yarger, Eric (Olympia) Yarger; seven great-grandchildren, Colin Ott, Kayla Ott, Colton Yarger, Danielle Cross, Brandon Grabow, Charlotte Yarger, Clancy Johnson; and a sister, Marcia Davidson of Sarasota, FL. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Donald and a sister, Elizabeth Hack.
Jack was a good baseball player in his early years, he enjoyed bowling, basketball and sports in general. In his later years he enjoyed golfing. He was a brave man, who never complained, loved his family and friends and enjoyed life with an easy smile and a great sense of humor.
Private family services will be held for Jack's family at a later date. Military honors and inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
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