LeRoy Barnes

 

November 18, 2021

LeRoy Edwin Barnes, son of Milton (Mickey) D. Barnes and Emma (Crawford) Barnes, was born on Sept. 14, 1931, at home in Sioux City, Iowa. He died peacefully on Nov. 7, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Home in Superior, at the age of 90 years, 1 month, and 23 days. LeRoy lived in South Sioux City his early life and graduated with the Class of 1949 from South Sioux City High School. He attended Wayne State College for two years majoring in business and played trumpet in the college band.

In 1951, LeRoy moved back to South Sioux City to work various jobs. He joined a roller-skating club where he met the love of his life, Joy Liston. LeRoy and Joy were married on Feb. 18, 1954, at Riverside Methodist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Fortunately, LeRoy and his brother, Ray made it to the church just in time, as the town siren blew for a local fire and the two thought it would be fun to chase the fire trucks. To this union was born two daughters, Rhonda Kae and Linda Sue.

While living in South Sioux City, LeRoy worked as a superintendent purchasing agent at the Sioux City Stockyards for 37 years. With this position, he traveled and represented the stockyards around the region. LeRoy earned an honorary state FFA degree and attended the National FFA convention several times.

In their free time, LeRoy and Joy looked forward every month to pinochle club and polka dancing club (where they dressed to the nines)!

For their next stage in life, LeRoy and Joy moved to Abilene, Kan., where they purchased and operated a Dairy Queen and sandwich shop. This is where LeRoy further developed his love for ice cream and recognized the importance of the perfect curly cue on an ice cream cone! After a few years, they moved to Omaha, where LeRoy managed a Little King restaurant in LaVista. As grandchildren grew older, LeRoy and Joy decided they wanted to be near family more and moved to Hardy. LeRoy worked for the Hardy Co-Op and later for Zoltenko Farms (while semi-retired), until he broke his back in a serious car accident that forced him to retire for good.

LeRoy recognized the importance of giving back to his community. While living in Sioux City, LeRoy was a member of the United Methodist Church, South Sioux City Planning and Zoning Committee, Dakota County Sanitary Improvement District, Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, Conservation Committee Chairman, Rural-Urban Visitation Program, Farm to Market Trucker's Day Committee, Toastmasters, president of the Dolphin Swim Club and Tri-State Swim League. While living in Abilene, LeRoy was on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Optimist Club, Elks Lodge, and the Methodist Church. Moving to the Superior area, LeRoy was a member of the United Methodist Church and held officer positions with the Elks Lodge and Republican Valley Bird Club.

LeRoy enjoyed reading his Bible faithfully every night and rarely ever missed church. His faith was important to him. LeRoy read historical and military nonfiction books (often 2 or 3 books per week), throughout his whole life. He embraced technology later in life and spent many hours a day on the computer following family, catching up on news and events and exploring the world via YouTube. LeRoy enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's events and attending all sporting, music and extracurricular activities.

Some of the joys of LeRoy's life were the moments when he and Joy were able to travel. When Rhonda and Linda were young, they enjoyed traveling to Liston family reunions and camping almost every weekend in the summers with swim club friends. Later in life, his favorite trips included visiting grandchildren in Texas, going to Germany twice with brother Ray and sister-in-law Rosie, traveling to Washington D.C., and taking multiple various bus trips.

While living at Kingswood Court Assisted Living, LeRoy enjoyed socializing, playing bingo and playing cards. Recently, LeRoy was especially proud of creating a "Happy Hour" once a week to be hosted in his apartment. He absolutely loved the staff and experience at Kingswood Court!

LeRoy thoroughly enjoyed time on the telephone, whether that was catching up with loved ones or calling everyone on his Christmas list (in lieu of sending cards). It was clear that LeRoy always had time for a conversation.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Milton (Mickey) and Emma Barnes; sister, Marjorie Miller; brother, Raymond Barnes, sister-in-law, Mary (and Kenneth) Robertson; and brothers-in-law, Donald (and Dorothy) Liston and Merle (Buster) Liston.

Survivors include his wife, Joy, of 67 years of marriage (Superior); daughters: Rhonda (Greg) Edwards of Hardy, and Linda Jones of Hastings; eight grandchildren: Jason (Cynthia) Heilman and Jessica (Michael) Ling of Texas City, Texas, Jerad (Sasha) Heilman of San Antonio, Texas, Matthew (Jessi) Edwards of Superior, Lance Edwards of Lincoln, Gina (Nicholas) Kroon of Oakland, Iowa, Blake Edwards of Lincoln, Neb., and Joshua Heilman of Hastings; 14 great- grandchildren : Hailey Heilman (James Marshall), Brandon Essex, and Brooke Essex of Texas City, Texas, Lilly, Dylan and Marley Edwards of Superior, Emma, Krae, Ella, and Kora Kroon of Oakland, Iowa, Nola Edwards of Lincoln, Neb., and Isha, Jerad Jr., and Stephen Heilman of San Antonio, Texas; great-great-grandchild, Jason Marshall of Texas City, Texas; step-grandchildren: Colby (Lavalea) Richardson and Jacob Richardson of Texas City, Texas; step-great-grandchildren: Colson and Oliana Richardson of Texas City, Texas; sisters-in-law, Rosie Barnes of El Paso, Texas, Clara (Leonard) Voss of Cheney; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

His funeral was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, from the First United Methodist Church in Superior with Pastor Natalie Faust and Pastor Dorthea Fairbanks officiating.

Music was "Amazing Grace," ukulele solo by Emma Kroon, "Unforgettable" recording, "Here I Am Lord," congregational hymn, "Lord's Prayer," solo by Vickie Nielsen, "Smile" recording and "No Place Like Nebraska," recording with Carlita Price as the organist.

Pallbearers were Matt Edwards, Lance Edwards, Blake Edwards, Joshua Heilman, Jason Heilman, Jerad Heilman, Nick Kroon and Jim Hope. Honorary pallbearers were Gina Kroon, Jessica Ling, Jessi Edwards, Sasha Heilman, and Cynthia Heilman.

Interment was in the Hardy Cemetery at Hardy.

Memorials may go in care of the family where they will be disbursed to the foundations and other charitable causes chosen by LeRoy.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Neb. 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneral homes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of the arrangements.

 

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