Derrell Barnes

Derrell Barnes, 86, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Friday, June 5, 2015 at CHI Good Samaritan. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Kearney. Reverend Stephen Price-Gibson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Elm Creek. Burial with military honors will be at Ord Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Mr. Barnes was born on November 5, 1928 in Greeley, Nebraska to Ellis J. and Marie (McGuire) Barnes. He grew up in Greeley and Ord before his family relocated to Central City where he graduated from Central City High School in 1946. Following high school he worked on the farm with his dad. He entered the United States Navy on December 26, 1950 and served on the USS McNair as a radioman during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in October 1954 with the rank of Radioman 3rd Class. Derrell was united in marriage to Artith Houchin on November 3, 1956 in Gothenburg, Nebraska. The couple made their home in various places while he worked as a depot agent in Fremont, Norfolk, Valley, Ord and Kearney. They eventually settled in Elm Creek. Derrell retired in 1992 after 42 years with the railroad. Mrs. Barnes preceded him in death on December 16, 2002. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, a lifelong member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and also was a member of the Eagle’s Club. Derrell enjoyed dancing, reading and playing cards, especially Cribbage and Pinochle. He also loved to garden, and was known by residents of Elm Creek as the “Pumpkin Painter”. The family will always remember him for his life stories of the farm, Navy and family. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by two sons, Gerald and his wife Kelly Barnes of Elm Creek and Aaron Barnes of Wilcox; a daughter, Pamela and her husband Rick Trampe of Lexington; seven grandchildren, Wendy (Andy) Lanik, Jill (Jacques) Smith, Becky (Luke) Zakrzewski, Derek Barnes, Elizabeth (Tyson) Atwood, Alex (Jerad) Olsen and Ashley Trampe; eight great grandchildren, Karter Evans, Jacob Zakrzewski, Owen Zakrzewski, Aubrey Lanik, Kendall Trampe, Brecken Atwood, Avery Zakrzewski and Miles Lanik. He is also survived by two brothers, Lawrence (Lorraine) Barnes of Grand Island and Robert (Carol) Barnes of La Vista; and two sisters-in-law, LuEtta Barnes of Grand Island and Mary Barnes of Central City. Mr. Barnes was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son, Harold Barnes, three sisters, Helen Giesenhagen, Margaret Nelson and Patricia Barnes, and three brothers, Gerald, Earl and Donald Barnes.

Derrell Barnes

November 5, 1928 - June 5, 2015