John W Barnes

John W. Barnes, 87, of 2725 Algoma St., died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at St. Michael's Hospital with his family around him. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Graham West officiating. Cremation will follow. Friends may call at Boston Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday and at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday. There will be an Eastern Star service followed by a Masonic service beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. A memorial is established in John's name, in lieu of flowers, for the Nature Conservancy and the church. John was born Oct. 19, 1918, in Lancaster, Ohio, to the late John and Rosannah (Medley) Barnes. He grew up in Lancaster and attended school there. John entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 and received an honorable discharge in 1946 as a chief petty officer. He served with the Navy in Washington, D.C., and then two years in Calcutta, India. Following the military, John attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, graduating with a bachelor of science degree, and then the University of Minnesota, doing his graduate work there. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Ohio University. John was married to Betty J. Bibler June 8, 1947, in Lancaster. He moved to Stevens Point to join UWSP in 1956. He was a professor in their Biology Department and was hired as their first entomologist. John retired in 1986. John was an active member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, involved with their choir for many years, and was treasurer for the Wesley Foundation. John belonged to American Legion Post No. 6, the Audubon Society and Nature Conservancy. John had a long history of service in the Masonic family organizations. He joined the Duke of Abercorn Lodge, Grand Lodge of Ireland, while stationed in Calcutta, India in 1944. He was a past master of Evergreen Lodge No. 93 -- Stevens Point in 1982. He was past high priest, Forest Chapter No. 34 -- Royal Arch Masons; thrice illustrious master, Heart of Wisconsin Council No. 39 -- Royal and Select Masters; and past commander, Crusade Commandery No. 17 -- Knights Templar. Having served as presiding officer of all three bodies, he became a member of Priory No. 16, Knights of the York Cross of Honor. He was also a member of Western Wisconsin York Rite College No. 85 -- La Crosse; Valley of Eau Claire -- Scottish Rite; and was invited to join Simon of Cyrene Tabernacle No. 15, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests -- Oshkosh. He served ten times as worthy patron of Arbutus Chapter No. 52 -- Stevens Point, Order of the Eastern Star as well as other offices. He was a member of Galilee Shrine -- White Shrine of Jerusalem. He was a long time member of the Advisory Board, Stevens Point Assembly No. 1 -- International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. He was State Rainbow Dad in 2003-04. John is survived by his wife, Betty J.; son, Thomas (Janet), Menominee Falls; daughters, Rae (James) Canfield, Plover and Sarah (John) Tsai, Taipei, Taiwan; brothers, Leroy (Betty Lou), Huntsville, Ohio, and Kenneth (Margot), Lancaster, Ohio; sister, Ruth Bibler, Lancaster; grandchildren, Veronica Barnes, Jennie, Scott and Julie Canfield and Melissa and Jeffrey Tsai; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers. Boston Funeral Home (715) 344-4223