Marilyn Walker Barnes

Marilyn Walker Barnes died peacefully on January 27, 2025, at the age of 102 years. She was born October 10, 1922, in Pendleton, Indiana to J. Howard Walker and Jane Coburn Walker. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 1940. She attended DePauw University and graduated from Indiana University in 1944. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1973. 

She was a member of Tri Kappa Sorority and Chi Omega Fraternity. She received honorary recognition from Pi Lambda Theta, Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Pleiades.

She married William Richard Barnes of Winchester, Indiana on November 17, 1946. They lived in Honolulu, Hawaii; Winchester, Indiana; Birmingham, Alabama; and Atlanta, Georgia. They were parents of two daughters who survive: Carrie Jane (Barnes) Howland and her husband Bixler W. Howland of Anchorage, Kentucky and Cynthia Walker (Barnes) Kroger and her husband David L. Kroger of Fishers, Indiana. Bill Barnes died an untimely death on April 2, 1976.

Marilyn taught school in various cities for 37 years. She retired to a lake home Gainesville, Georgia in 1981 where she was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Georgia. She was the proud grandmother of six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. 

She lived at the Stratford in Carmel, Indiana from 2011 to 2023 and Meadow Brook Senior Living in Fishers, Indiana from 2023 to 2025. During her time in Indianapolis, she was a member of Second Presbyterian Church. Throughout her retirement, Marilyn enjoyed visiting her grandchildren, singing in the church choir, teaching and playing bridge, collecting Coke bottles, frequenting casinos, and following her Atlanta Braves. 

Marilyn’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Meadow Brook Senior Living for the kindness and exceptional care which they provided Marilyn near the end of her life.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 10:00 to 12 Noon at Bozell Funeral Homes, Lahm Chapel, 211 E. State Street, Pendleton, Indiana. The funeral service will be held at Noon immediately followed by internment at Grove Lawn Cemetery in Pendleton. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.