Richard Allen Barnes

Richard Allen Barnes, age 85, of Chesterland, passed away at the David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland on April 7, 2025. Born on February 11, 1940, in Chardon, he was a lifelong resident of Chesterland. He graduated from West Geauga High School in 1958 and was an Army veteran, serving as a radio teletype operator from 1963 to 1965.
Richard was the owner/operator of Barnes Sawmill in Chesterland. He started working at the sawmill as a young boy with his father and grandfather and started working full time when he returned from the Army in 1965. He took over the business when his father retired, and this would have been his 60th year at the sawmill. In addition to running the sawmill, Richard made maple syrup and won many ribbons at the Geauga County Maple Festival. He won first place in 1991 and was proud that his son took over the maple syrup operation as a fourth-generation syrup producer.
Richard was a drag racer in the gasser classes in the 1960's, racing regularly at Thompson Drag Raceway (now Kuhnle Motorsports Park) and other local drag strips. He enjoyed attending the Gasser Reunion races at Thompson and loved watching his son compete in his 1933 Willys. He also enjoyed watching Nascar races and the Cleveland Cavaliers and loved cats and dogs.
He is survived by his son, Benjamin (Melissa) Barnes of Chesterland; daughter, Katherine (Eric) Snyder of Montville; granddaughter, Adelyn Barnes; ex-wife and long-time companion Marianne Barnes of Chesterland; step-daughter, Valerie Ventura of Mayfield; sisters-in-law, Cynthia Barnes of Chesterland and Dianne Barnes of Munson; nephews Jason (companion Alison) Barnes and Charles (Molly) Barnes and nieces Kim Carroll and Tami (Jeff) Setlock, all of Chesterland, and other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard O. and Rose (nee: Vanac) Barnes; first wife Linnette (nee: Petersen); brothers, Leslie and David; nephew, Christopher Barnes and stillborn grandson Rilan Barnes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Geauga County Department of Aging home delivered meal program, the Hospice of the Western Reserve or a local animal shelter.
A visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. The Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. The interment will follow at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland. Arrangement entrusted to the Burr Funeral Home, Chardon, Ohio. Your condolences and cherished memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.