Nicklas W. Barnes

Nicklas W. Barnes, age 11, a 5th grader at Lakeview Middle School, died unexpectedly on Monday, March 10, 2014. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 28, 2002, the loving son of Derek D. and Laura A. (Williams) Barnes. Nicklas was a 5th grader at the Lakeview Middle School where he was loved by all and a caring friend to so many.

Nicklas is survived by his parents, Derek & Laura Barnes of Battle Creek; his brother and best friend, Brenden Barnes; his grandparents, Dan & Lynn Barnes of Battle Creek and Ken & Susie Williams of Freeland; his great-grandparents, Bob & Isabel Herwarth and Kenneth & Evelyn Williams; his aunts & uncles, Tracie & Marty Howard, Elizabeth Barnes, Veronica & Clint White, Matt & Barbie Williams, Sara & John Dorr, and his cousins, Trenton Young, Robbie Howard, Haley Barnes, Spencer White, Lauren Williams, Charlie Williams, Emma Dorr, and Ethan Dorr. He was sadly preceded in death by his "Grandma Carmen".

Even though his life was sadly cut so short, Nicklas loved life and living life to the fullest. He had an amazingly silly personality and goofy sense of humor. Nicklas was truly a "Special Boy" who loved his family more than anything, and enjoyed goofing around with his brother, Brenden. Proudly named after the great #5, Nicklas Lidstrom, Nicklas was a die-hard Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers Fan. He loved being outdoors, fishing, playing catch, and all types of sports, but most especially playing LYA Baseball and KOHA Hockey. A true adventurer, Nicklas enjoyed snowboarding, watching the X-Games and playing his X-Box.

The family will receive friends 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2014 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Funeral services to celebrate Nicklas's life will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the First Wesleyan Church of Battle Creek, 14425 S. Helmer Road, Battle Creek. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to LYA (Lakeview Youth Association) P.O. Box 753 Battle Creek, MI 49016 or to KOHA (Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association) 3600 Vanrick Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49001. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Nicklas may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com