Donald Eugene Barnes

Donald Eugene Barnes, 88, of Lombard died on Monday, March 2nd at his home in Beacon Hill Independent Living Community. Born August 28, 1937 to Frank Leslie Barnes and Edith Marie (Schweizer) Barnes in Joliet, IL., Donald attended Joliet Township High School, Illinois State University- BS Social Studies, Michigan State University-MAT General Science, and the University of Illinois-PhD Education Administration. Donald started his first job as an educator in 1959 and married his high school sweetheart, Raelene Mae Bachman the same year. He served in the Western Springs School District 101 for a total of 35 years as a junior high school science teacher and coach at McClure Junior High School, Principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary School, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and then Superintendent of Schools.

Donald valued community service and served the West Suburban Council of The Boy Scouts of America, the LaGrange Community General Hospital, Western Springs United Fund, Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center, Western Springs United Fund, and the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission Roundtable Board. He was a 26-year member of the Western Springs Kiwanis Club and Member/Past Master of the Western Springs Masonic Lodge #1136, the Scottish Rite, and Medinah Temple Shrine as well as chairman of numerous state and local educational committees. The Barnes Family were members of the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs and, when Don and Raelene moved back to the Joliet area, were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Joliet.

Donald passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. He is survived by Raelene (his wife of 66 years); his daughters Kimberly (Chris) Esposito of Western Springs, Heidi (Scott) Oates of Missouri City, TX, and Leslie (Sean) Daly of Aurora, OH; 6 grandchildren CJ Esposito (Madeline), Lindsay Esposito, Jennifer (Carlos) Mejia, Stephen (Julie) Oates, Aidan Daly, Meghan Daly; one great-granddaughter Lydia Christine Esposito and Donald's twin sister Dolores (David) McNabb of Noblesville, IN. A celebration of life will take place Saturday, March 28th at the Western Springs Presbyterian Church, 5250 Wolf Rd, Western Springs, IL 60558 at 2:00 pm. A reception will immediately follow the service at 3:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Helping Hands Rehabilitation Center in LaGrange, IL.