Richard Barnes Barnett of Collinsville, Ill., on October 26, 2014.
Born August 7, 1927, in Alton, Ill., the son of Elmer Leonard and Nelle Victor, nee McCrellis, Barnett. He is survived by his wife Nancy N., nee Ames, Barnett; and children Richard Mark; Eric Barnes; Sarah Auld Cameron (Richard); and Susan Ames (Charles) Hileman.
Richard was a DeMolay, an Eagle Scout and an adult Scout leader. He was a United States Army Veteran of the 31st Infantry, 7th Division. With a bachelor’s degree in forestry, he began working with the U. S. Forestry Service in Montana. Richard later worked as the manager of a creosoting plant, a map maker, school teacher and grade-school principal.
Mr. Barnett enjoyed a great love of music, first playing the piano, then the trombone, bagpipes and organ. He loved to compose and wrote many songs, including an entire Christmas program for the grade school where he taught. A talented artist, he usually worked in oils and created many beautiful paintings.
An active Freemason, some of his Masonic honors include Past Master of Collinsville Lodge, #712, A.F. & A.M., a past presiding officer of the York Rite bodies in Granite City, KYCH, Order of the Purple Cross, Knight Templar Cross of Honor, a past presiding officer of two of the Scottish Rite bodies in the Valley of Southern Illinois, Meritorious Service Award, and the 33°. He was also a member of Ainad Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S, where he had been a member of the Krazy Klowns and played the bagpipes. He had also been a member of the Collinsville Lions Club prior to becoming ill.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a Masonic Service at 7:00 P.M., at Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Home, 120 W. Locust St., Medora, IL 62063, where the funeral will be on Thursday, October 30, at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Kemper Cemetery at Kemper, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to either the Children’s Dyslexia Center at the Valley of Southern Illinois or to Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis.
