Paul Barnes

Sunday, April 23, 2006

CHARLESTON -- Paul Wilson Barnes, 80, died at 9:15 p.m. April 20, 2006, at his home.

Born Aug. 25, 1925, in Acron, son of the late Billy Wilson and Ivy Stevenson Barnes, his family moved to Cairo, Ill., in 1931. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving from November 1942 through November 1945. A resident of Charleston for 50 years, he was a member of the Charleston VFW Post 4294, affiliated with the Baptist Church and a co-owner of the IGA grocery store until his retirement.

On Sept. 7, 1947, he married Maye Bradley who preceded him in death on Nov. 13, 2005.

Also preceding him in death were one brother, Billy Barnes, and one sister, Mary Barnes Ellis.

Surviving are two sisters, Magdalene Thurston of Pulaski, Ill., and Mable Kepner of Victorville, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the McMikle Funeral Home where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Jim Malugen, pastor of the First Christian Church in Charleston, will officiate.

Military graveside rites will be provided by the Missouri Military Honor Guard at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Mark Hart, Bill O'Guin, Bob Ellis, Benny Thurston, Darrell Thurston, Jerry Thurston and Wayne Wolferding.