1947
2012
Barnes, Michael
Michael Barnes, of Deerbrook, died Sunday, December 23, 2012 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with his family at his side. He was 65 years old. He was born on January 9, 1947 in Milwaukee, a son of Richard and Patricia (Powers) Barnes. He married Rosemary Wesley on November 30, 1968 at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Antigo. She survives.
He was a graduate of Germantown High School with the class of 1964.
He received his bachelors degree in history from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and went on to receive his masters degree in business management from the University of Redlands in California.
He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 - 1988 having attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. After Officer Candidates School, he served in Vietnam as a company executive officer in B Company, 1Bn/9th Regiment. Lt. Col. Barnes was an infantry officer throughout his Marine Corps career. He served as a pioneer in mechanized warfare, was the Instructor-Inspector for 3Bn/25th Regiment reserve unit and was the Marine Corps representative, teaching military science at the Military Academy at West Point.
Following military service he moved to Wausau where he owned and operated Sentinel Detective Agency, Inc. for the past 23 years.
He was a charter member of the Wausau Earlybird Rotary Club. He was active serving as a board member for Birch Trails Girl Scout Council and subsequently Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes. He was a member of St. Wencel Catholic Church in Neva where he was a Eucharistic Minister and high school religious education teacher. He was a member of the Timberwolves Detachment of the Marine Corps League - Antigo, the Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post #3 - Antigo and the Burns Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #388 - Wausau.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, gardening and especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors including his wife are three sons, Sean (Mary) Barnes, Gainesville, VA, Matthew (Cynthia) Barnes, Mosinee, Joseph (Monika) Barnes, Kaukauna; a daughter Amanda (David) Olson, Mt. Horeb; eight grandchildren Lauren Taylor, Esme, Oliver, Elliot, Simon, Eleanor, Charles and Abigail; two sisters Mary Rebecca (James) Kapellen, Edgerton, Leslie (Craig) Deneke, Waddell, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Joyce Barnes.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Wencel Catholic Church in Neva with Rev. David Schmidt officiating. Burial will take place in the parish Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.
Visitation will be 3:30-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Bradley Funeral Home, 1550 Neva Rd. (Hwy 45) Antigo 54409 and 9-10 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
A parish wake service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday also at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5056 Wausau, WI 54402-5056; or Wounded Warriors in Action www.wwiaf.org, providing purple heart recipients the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sports.
Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.
His family extends a heartfelt Thank You to the physicians and nursing staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the exceptional care provided for Mike.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
To the Barnes family,
I was very sorry to hear of Mike's passing.
Iron Mike was my company commander at TBS in 1976. He was a great leader and all of us in his company enjoyed our time in Quantico because of people like him.
The last time I saw Mike was during a train ride in Germany, 1978 when he inadvertently sat down next to me.
A great person for may reasons; his untimely death will be felt long and hard by many.
Please accept my sincerest condolences.
Col Kevin W. Donahue (ret.)
Westborough, MA
February 15, 2013
Christi and I would like to extend our condolences on the loss. Mike touched a lot of people's lives throughout his business and personal life and will be missed.
Dana and Christi Stellingworth
December 29, 2012
Jason Van Demark
December 28, 2012
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to my godchild Cindy Barnes and the whole Barnes family . May all the wonderful memories of Mike follow you wherever you go.
Janet Gremban
December 27, 2012
Amanda I found out about your dad earlier and I cannot stop thinking about your family. Again I am very sorry for your loss. I know how close you are to your parents and I can't imagine what you are going through now. Please treasure the memories you had with him and continue to share and remember those times with Ellie and Charlie. I know he is proud of the daughter he raised and the person you have become. Feel comfort in knowing that Heaven has another Angel and he will continue to watch over you, Dave, Ellie, Charlie, and the rest of your family. Hugs to you.
Lynette Peck
December 27, 2012
My thoughts are with the Barnes family and especially Joe, my team leader in Iraq. Semper Fi Marines!
Nick Browne
December 27, 2012
Joe and family,
Sorry for your loss, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Kevin Polglaze
December 27, 2012
Mike always volunteered for the tough jobs in Rotary, parking cars in sub zero weather for our first carbo-load to taking the 1am to 6am shift for our Love is International project.When our club watched the kayak course Mike once again took the all night shift. I will always have a vivid picture in my mind of his erect respectful posture while we recited the pledge of allegiance. Delivering mobile meals was always a great time to share our political views and compare our business challenges,Mike you are a good friend, may you rest in peace, Gary France
December 26, 2012
Amanda, David, Ellie, Charlie and the Barnes family, you have our sincere sympathy on the loss of your Father and Grandpa.
Connie & Jim
December 26, 2012
Eternal rest grant unto him and may perpetual light sign upon him, may he rest in peace. Semper Fi!
Deacon Bryan Hilts
December 26, 2012
Matt and Family
So sorry to hear of the death of your father.....You are in our thoughts and prayers
December 26, 2012
Our sincere sympathies to you Amanda and your family, I am sure he will be missed.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you!
Jim & Louise Archambault
Goodyear, AZ
December 26, 2012
Mike leaves behind many, many lives that he touched in a positive and lasting way. I am honored to be one of them. Bravo Zulu, Mike!
Jay St. Clair
December 26, 2012
I had the pleasure of interacting with Mike while working at Sentry Ins., in a Business Continuity Planning position. I also became friends with Rosemary while working for Queoff Assoc. in Washington Square, Wausau. It was my pleasure to know them both. My condolences to Rosemary and family on your loss of Mike.
Regards,
Jean Westfall
December 26, 2012
Sorry for your loss. Mike was a wonderful person.
Dan Hall
December 26, 2012
I have so enjoyed knowing Mike these past few years and am thankful for his daughter Amanda who became my daughter in law 11 years ago. He was kind and thoughtful and such a wonderful grandpa. Our little Ellie and Charlie adored him. It was a privilege knowing him. Thoughts and prayers to the whole family. Marilyn Olson
Marilyn Olson
December 26, 2012
Rosemary and Family,
So sorry to hear about Mike, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie Kryshak
December 26, 2012
Barnes Family,
Words cannot express my feelings today when I heard the news of Mike's passing. He will truly be missed. I can still hear his voice telling me about hunting with his Grandson's or fishing with his high school buddies. Never in my life have I met a man who was so proud of and cared for his family as much as he did. He gave me an opportunity 23 years ago with a job offer to work Security for SDA and I never looked back. He wasn't just my boss, He was a good friend as well, Always there with good advice for life's curve balls and turbulent times.
I will miss you my friend, Semper Fi and Gods Speed. Say Hi to Smokey and have a nice chat with him when you both arrive at Heavens Gate.
Frank Flowerette
December 26, 2012
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Barnes family. I was a Rotarian with Mike for ten years, he was such an energetic and hard working Rotarian. He was loyal, dedicated and truly lived by the Rotary model of Service Above Self.
Jen Nieuwenhuis
December 26, 2012
Mike was an outstanding individual in all aspects of his life. I consider it an honor to have known him. My condolences to the entire Barnes' family.
Douglas Olson
December 26, 2012
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