Joseph Allen Barnett

Joseph Allen Barnett, 87, Topeka, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at Midland Hospice House. Joe was born February 15, 1923, in Morristown, NJ, the son of Clarence E. and Lena (Porphy) Barnett. He was raised and attended school in Downs, KS, and graduated in the Class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from March 1943 until September 1945. He was a bombardier-navigator with the 487th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, in England. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, 4 Air Medals and 3 Combat Battle Stars. He had been a member of the V.F.W. and American Legion, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, and Crestview United Methodist Church. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1952 with a degree in geology. He worked for the State of Kansas in the Geology Department for 7 years and then in business for himself in Engineering Geology - Barnett-Stuart Co., retiring in 1993. Joe married Phyllis Niles on September 14, 1946, in Downs. Survivors include their children, Michael Barnett, Topeka; Patricia (Tom) Seitz, Nolensville, TN; three grandsons; and daughter-in-law, Mary Laura Barnett. He was preceded in death by his wife; daughter, Susan Jo Barnett-Phillips; and brothers, Billy and Jim Barnett. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road. Burial with Military Honors will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606. To leave a special message for the family online, visit: www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Joseph A. Barnett