Ruth C. Barnes

Ruth C. Barnes, 90, heard God’s calling on October 14, 2015 after suffering a massive stroke and developing pneumonia and died at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, MI. This precious life began in 1925.  She was the youngest of 3 children with both her sister Jean and brother Hubert preceding her in death. She married William C. Barnes (Bill) in 1944. It was such a blessing for Ruth to marry the love of her life.   Out of this love they raised a family of 4 children Sue, Lee, Ann & Bill Jr., in the town of Buchanan.  Ruth & Bill were members of the Masonic Temple and Eastern Star and First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan.    They went square dancing together & played cards with family and friends.  Ruth liked to cook and you were always welcome to share a meal if you stopped by at meal time.  She was excellent at putting together puzzles and I mean the really hard ones.   She liked to crochet and quilt.  Ruth was a strong minded, independent woman which was probably the reason she lived such a fruitful and long life.   Family, faith and truth is what she treasured most.  She will be sadly missed by those who knew her and loved her. Also preceding her in death was her husband, whom we are sure, was waiting for her on Wednesday to welcome her to heaven, daughter-in-law Kerri Barnes, and great-grandson Elias Barnes. She is survived by her children, Sue (John) Barlow, Lee (Judy) Barnes, Ann (Bob) Rowe & Bill (Beverly) Barnes; grandchildren, Janis (Jim) Thomas, Don Barlow, Corey (Jessica) Barnes, Monica (Craig) Kuha, Nathan (Bethany) Barnes, Temera Perry, Derek (Joanne) Clifton, Lora (Lloyd) Luce; 20 great-grandchildren, with the addition of two more expected; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family is deeply appreciative to Sue & John Barlow for assisting and watching over our mother for the past several years and taking care of her needs when others were not available to do so. Visitation will be on Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m., at Swem Chapel where services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Edwin A. Brinkow the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will take place following the service at 2:30 p.m. in Centerville, Michigan at Prairie River Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 115 W. Front St., Buchanan, Michigan  49107. To sign her guest book or leave a message online please visit www.swemchapel.com.