Lester LeRoy, youngest son of Robert Lindsey and Rhoda (George) Barnett, was born in Odessa township, Jewell County, Kansas, May 31, 1889, and passed away at Smith Center, Kansas, Feb. 8, 1975. When quite small the family moved to Smith County, Kansas, and he attended the rural school there. On April 23, 1912, at Mankato, Kansas, he was married to Ruth Ella Martin, and they established their home near Dentonia. They were the parents of three children, LoVona Myrle, LeRoy David, and Bernice Evelyn.

He was a farmer until he and his wife purchased a home in Lebanon in 1952. After moving he still helped those in the occupation of farming during busy seasons. He liked to read and had a keen mind of facts and figures. He was of a cheerful disposition and little things as a friendly smile, or someone stopping by to visit meant much.

In recent years he became interested in collecting old books, bottles, and some antiques. His wife, Ruth, passed away May 22, 1958, and he maintained his home in Lebanon until October, 1972. Following surgery he made his home with his children and families. August 13, 1973, he became a resident of Carpenter Manor, Smith Center, where he remained until his death.

When friends would stop for a visit and inquire as to how he felt, he would smile and say, “I feel better, today.” He greatly enjoyed his mail and appreciated those who wrote regularly to him.

Besides his wife, Ruth, he was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, Arminta Kennedy, Bessie Mason, Nina Barnett, Sylvia Dutton, Zella Calkins, and Gladys Barnett, and three brothers, Ira, Arthur, and Charles.

Those who will miss him most are his children, LoVona and Glenn Bartley, LeRoy Barnett, and Evelyn and Rufus Manchester; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary E. Wallace of Papillion, Nebr., nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Memorial services were held at Simmons Chapel Feb. 11, 1975, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Sidney Dillinger officiating. Ruth Obert sang “Beyond the Sunset” and “Sweet Bye and
Bye” accompanied by Joyce Kattenberg. Casket bearers were: Neil Manchester, Glenn Bartley, Jr., Gail Bartley, Darrell Thayer, Roger Gregg and Kenneth Kennedy. Honorary pallbearers were: Harry Ritter, Henry Kattenberg, Ernest Tack, Russell Lammey, Merlin Pixler, and Norlan Joe Gilbert. Interment was in the family lot, Odessa Cemetery.

(The newspaper and date for the obituary clipping were not recorded. The obituary was adapted to remove some information about living persons and a long poem.)

Contributor: Jim Kennedy (49629531)