Major Richard J Barnes, USMC Retired, passed away peacefully Friday, January 27, 2023 at his home in Clermont, Iowa. He was born August 8, 1937, middle child of James and Mary (Kaprich) Barnes, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He lived in Elkader and other places graduating high school in West Union Iowa in 1955. He then went onto Loras College and graduated in 1959. While still in college, he registered for the Marine Corps in 1958.
He married Kathryn Riley in May 1962. They had six children, Michael (Michelle), Richard (Aida), Mary (Dwayne) Barnhill, Matthew, Anne (Bruce) Wegner, and Riley (Sarah) Barnes.
Richard served in the Marine Corps for twenty-two years and reached the rank of Major. He was stationed at Quantico, Virginia, Camp Lejuene, North Carolina, Newfoundland, Canada, Barstow, California, Twenty Nine Palms, California and finally Oceanside, California. With several overseas tours, including Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan.
Kathryn passed away in April 1983. In 1984, Richard brought Anne and Riley to Iowa for a visit, and then decided to stay to be closer to family after living in California.
In 1990, Richard met Ardith Olson. They married on November 7, 1992 at St Francis of Assisi in Fayette. They recently celebrated thirty years of marriage. Richard gained three bonus children when he married Ardie; Lauri, Scott and Jeff (Lana) Olson. Richard and Ardie made Randalia their home for many years and moved to Clermont in 1998. They were very involved with the American Legion Post #375, where Richard was the District Commander for a year, as well as many other offices. He was a regular at Veteran Day Programs, Fish Fries, Pancake Breakfast and other Legion events.
Richard was very involved in all facets of his community. In addition to the American Legion, he also served with the Knights of Columbus, was a lector for St Francis and St Peters, a member of the Clermont Historical Society, part of the Library Board, and a leading member of the 40 & 8. He loved his time in the fields working the land, spending over twenty years farming with Rodney Morse.
Richard and Ardie loved to travel and visited many places, including Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Des Moines, Dubuque, the Azores, East Africa, Virginia, California, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Washington DC and Texas where they spent many winters away from the cold Iowa winters!
Between their nine children they have fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Eric (deceased), Christian and Heather Barnes, Alyzza and Austin Barnes, Kathryn and Patrick Barnhill, Charlotte and Audrey Barnes, Grayson and Hannah Wegner, Emily and Elijah Barnes, Ashley and Miranda Olson, and great-grandchild Chance Olson.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Ardie; his brothers, Jim (Cheri) and Edward (Virginia); brother and sisters-in-law, Betty Riley, Dawn (Joel) Menuey, Charlotte (Zeke) Seedorff, Roger (Judy) Weston and Rose Mary Weston; along with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Mary Barnes; his wife, Kathryn Riley Barnes; brothers-in- law, Jack Riley and Larry (Georgie) Riley; sisters-in-law, Janet (Gary Keefe, Dale Batterson) Batterson Keefe, Norma Perry and grandson, Eric Barnes.
The family requests that memorial donations in Richard’s honor be made to: Palmer Hospice, the American Legion Post #375, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Clermont Public Library, and the Clermont Historical Society.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 3-6 pm at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Clermont, Iowa with a Rosary at 2:30 pm. There will also be a one hour visitation before mass at the church on Monday.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 am on Monday, February 6, 2023 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Clermont, Iowa.
Burial with Military Rites will be at a later date at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.