Curt D. Barnes

Curt Douglas Barnes, age 69, of Durand, IL, passed away at Medina Nursing Home, on December 10, 2022, due to complications from metastatic prostate cancer. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Lanark, IL, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2 p.m., before the service.

Curt was born May 3, 1953, in Detroit, MI, the son of Ernest and Eva “Jane” (Ross) Barnes. He graduated from Freeport High School, in Freeport, IL, with the class of 1971. In 1972, Curt married Kathy Hargis and together they had two daughters.

Curt made a career of serving his country in United States Air Force, ultimately retiring as Master Sergeant. His career saw him stationed in Spain, Germany, Holland, Okinawa, and several states in the US. He was in Egypt in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In 1998, Curt married Constance Shaw. Just a few years later, it was necessary for him to move to the nursing home, to seek care for his worsening Multiple Sclerosis.

Despite his more than 17 years as a resident in nursing care facilities, Curt never lost his positive attitude and his zest for life. It was consistently declared what a joy he was, by his fellow residents and staff, and he was known for his jokes and happy demeanor. He was a proud Mason and member of Shriners International, and until his final breath, he was a loving father and grandfather.

Curt will be dearly missed by his daughters, LaVonne Harris, of Centennial, CO, and Carmen (Jessica) Kehr-Barnes, of Evanston, IL; granddaughter, Zoe Harris; wife, Constance; stepdaughter, Veronica (Don) Dietz; stepson Kelley Thies, sister, Beverly (Gary) Dyson; brothers, William (Lynn) Barnes, Keith (Melissa) Barnes, and Kevin (Amy) Barnes. Curt is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Jane, and his brother, E.J. Barnes.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to please consider making a donation to one of Curt’s favorite charities: National MS Society Ways to Donate | National Multiple Sclerosis Society (nationalmssociety.org) and Shiners Hospitals for Children Donate to Gifts of LOVE (lovetotherescue.org).