Obituary - Verne Barnes

Verne ‘Ned’ Edmund Roy Barnes, beloved husband of Jan Barnes (nee Steen), passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at the age of 84 years.  Along with Jan, his loving wife of 53 years, Verne leaves to cherish his memory six children and their families:  Bryn (Michael) Meyer and Bryn’s two children, Brennan (Angie) Strachan and their daughter Taylor, Mitchell Strachan (Lorraine);  Drew (Frances) Barnes and their three children, Matthew, Davis and Blake;  Bentley (Jeanette) Barnes and their three children, Mandy Barnes (Jeremiah) and their son Oscar, Samara (Graham) Brown and Bentley Jr.; Nancy (Steve) Perry and their two children, Sarah and Ryan; Shelagh (Cory) Seifert and Shelagh’s three children, Alicia Barton and her son Austin, Deryck Barton (Malorie) and Jory Barton (Coralee);  Adrienne (Dion) Lattery and their two children Evan and Alyssa Lattery as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Edna Barnes;  one brother in infancy, Silas;  sisters, Vaila (Maurice) Kuppers, Hazel (Len) Mountney, Lorraine (Hubert) Davis, Dorraine (Dave) Yule, Clarissa (Cedric) Hilts and Winnie (Wes) Dobson.  Verne was born in Moosomin, SK. to Roy and Edna Barnes on July 25, 1927.  This is where he was raised and lived, farming there until moving to Brandon in 1961.  He owned and operated Barnes Grocery and Confectionery there until moving the family to Medicine Hat in 1974. Verne worked at the Medicine Hat Co-op Service Centre for seventeen years before retiring in 1992.  He had a life-long interest in baseball, especially when the Yankees or Dodgers were playing!  Verne was a skilled hockey player, a sport he remained active in until he was 74.  Though his hockey playing days were done at 74, he remained a loyal fan of his Montreal Canadiens.  Verne loved being outdoors and could often be found puttering around with one thing or another in the yard.  Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Sunday, May 27, 2012, between 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.  A Celebration of Verne’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on Monday, May 28, 2012, at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Kevin Johnston officiating.  Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Verne may be made to the Salvation Army, 164 Stratton Way S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 3R3, or to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre (Medicine Hat Cancer Clinic), 666 - 5 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6.