PAULDING, OH:
Burl Eugene Barnes, Jr., age 88, died on Nov. 14, 2023, in hospice care at the Paulding County Hospital. As a life-long believer and faithful servant at St. Paul Lutheran Church, he was prepared for his journey to heaven and to join the choir of angels in the tenor section. His family is, of course, sad but also joyous for the love-filled life they shared with a funny, smart, quiet and gentle son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
For 66+ years, Burl was married to Ellie Barnes (Elcena Zerkle of St. Paris, Ohio). The two of them lived a love story that started at a square dance at The Ohio State University in 1954 and will continue forever. They married on July 21, 1957. After being drafted in the U.S. Army, they lived in Germany and then in Paulding, Ohio, where they cared for livestock and farmed the land settled by Burl’s great-great grandfather, John Barnes, who received a land grant in 1852.
Burl was the son of Burl Barnes, Sr. and (Lesta) Faye (Cadwalder) Barnes, who died immediately after his birth. He was raised by aunts and his dad until Sibylla (Strobel) Barnes married the family when Burl was four years old. Burl had one sister Jean Barnes (Ray) Downs.
Throughout his 88 years, Burl was a loyal servant to the earth and the Lord. In addition to farming, he tended a large garden, 240 acres of woods, the multi-generational homestead, as well as many domestic and farm animals great and small. He cared for his family, including four children: Lesta Barnes (Paul) Searles, Laurie Barnes, Scott (Chrissy) Barnes and Amy Barnes.
He taught his family the importance of love, compromise, sacrifice, working hard, caring for others, telling good jokes, singing enthusiastically and pitching in when an organization or project needed a volunteer or leader. He taught them to drive a stick-shift, cut wood, pick sweet corn and fix things. In honor of the Barnes family tradition, Amy and Laurie now own the original homestead, bringing it back to its original, simple beauty.
Children provided Burl much joy in his life, especially his granddaughter Adrienne Searles and her daughter (his great granddaughter) Kayla Castillo, Alex Barnes, Mia Barnes, Emmet Barnes, his only grandson, Kayla Spiker who preceded him in death at the age of 46 hours, and step grandchildren Michael Searles and Stephanie Donohoe. Burl loved to read to them as small children, was a willing participant in game playing, enjoyed watching them play sports, perform and grow up. He got a kick out of the regular kid stuff like watching cartoons on TV, giggling, running, being ornery and bedtime.
Long life ran in the family. This gave Burl the opportunity to serve as caregiver, loving son and dedicated nephew. For decades, he lived next door to his disabled father, Burl Sr., and provided every type of care to enable his father to remain in his own home as long as possible. In addition, Burl Jr. provided loving care for other family members including his aunt, Anita Schilb of Hicksville, who lived to be 103.
Burl graduated from Paulding High School and The Ohio State University where he earned a degree in animal husbandry. He was a member of the Ohio State men’s glee club and even performed with them on the Ed Sullivan Show! He and Ellie were a great team, dividing and conquering the chores of caring for a family and the homestead. Together, they enjoyed singing, traveling and even collaborated on crafts, including making Buckeye “jewelry.”
Burl had a long career after farming with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, working there for more than 30 years. There he developed members and programs for farmers in Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Van Wert and Putnam counties, and later led those activities throughout the whole Northwestern corner of the state. He helped engage teens in the organization through local county youth councils, as well as in an annual Farm Bureau youth camp that taught the role of government in developing farm policy. These were things he was passionate about his entire life.
As an 84-year member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paulding, Burl served many times on the church council as member and president. He ushered, counted money, flipped pancakes, served as reader and communion assistant and sang in the choir, usually as the only tenor. He was an original member and representative of St. Paul on a community committee that began the planning for a new building, now being constructed, for the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry in Paulding.
Burl is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great granddaughter, sister, nephew, nieces and many friends. He was preceded in death by his three parents, one granddaughter and a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life is being planned for Saturday, Dec. 9 to commemorate all of Burl’s 88 years, his loves, his good works and his sense of humor. Come visit with the family at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paulding, Ohio, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a service at 2 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations In Burl’s memory to the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry at P.O. Box 391 Paulding, OH 45879 or to CHP Home Care & Hospice at 250 Dooley Drive, Suite A Paulding, OH 45879.
Arrangements entrusted to Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, OH.
Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com
