Cecil N. Barnes Battle Creek Cecil N. Barnes, 90, of Battle Creek, died peacefully on Sunday morning, December 7, 2008 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. He was born May 4, 1918 in Oshkosh, Nebraska the son of Ansel R. and Elsie (Davison) Barnes. In 1940, Cecil graduated from Northern Illinois State Teachers College in DeKalb, Illinois and continued his education at Western Michigan University where in 1953 he graduated with a Master's Degree in Guidance. Starting in 1942, Cecil served his country as a Squadron Navigator and member of the United States Army Air Force in the European Theater during WWII until he was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of Captain. Cecil retired as principal at Southwestern Junior High School in 1978 with 32 years of service to the Battle Creek Public Schools as a teacher, guidance counselor and principal. He was a mentor, friend and an inspiration to so many throughout the community and will be truly missed by all who knew him. Cecil married Madaline M. Herrmann in Cheraw, South Carolina on February 13, 1943; she survives. He is also survived by two sons, Michael D. (Linda) Barnes of Oregon and Richard J. Barnes of Battle Creek; two daughters, Marcia J. (Roger) Carpenter of Indiana and Susan K. Barnes of Kalamazoo; 9 grandchildren, Kent (Lisa) Barnes, Ryan Barnes, Tara Brown, David Schaut, Jonathon (Kristine) Barnes, Justin (Jessie) Barnes, Ann (John) Hodge, Scott (Lisa) Carpenter, Nicholas (Amanda) Smith; and 12 great-grandchildren. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters; a brother; and a grandson, Timothy Carpenter. Cecil was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, past president and treasurer of the Battle Creek Area Retired Teachers Association and the Battle Creek Barbershoppers, "Retreads" Barbershop Quartet. A Melvin Jones Fellow, Cecil was a member of the Battle Creek Host Lions Club since 1971 and served as president in 1980. Cecil enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling and spending time with his family. At the request of the family, they will receive friends 1:00 3:00 and 5:00 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where the Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., followed by a time of Eulogies to celebrate Cecil's life by his family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Charles H. Fischer, 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2008 at St. Philip Catholic Church. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Cecil's honor to the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence or the Cereal City Lions Club, Zone Eyeglass Fund. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com

Published in Battle Creek Enquirer on Dec. 10, 2008 -