Steven W. Barnett

Steven Wayne Barnett, 73, former Cassville, WI resident, passed away Friday, January 16th at Monroe Health Services in Monroe, WI.

Steve was born April 20, 1952, in Roswell, New Mexico, the youngest son of Wayne and Ella Claire (Stewart) Barnett. A military brat for much of his childhood, Steve's family was stationed at numerous bases throughout the United States. When his parents retired in 1963, the family moved to Blue River, Wisconsin where they bought a large farm perfect for a young boy to find mischief. The stereotypical youngest child, there was nothing he couldn't get away with and he knew it.

Steve graduated from Riverdale High School in 1970, where his impressive height made him a well accomplished athlete. He held many records for years, including scoring 41 points and 29 rebounds in a single game. After graduation Steve attended UW Richland Center. In 1973 he enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served at Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Carson, Colorado, as well as Mainz, Germany. Steve was an expert marksman and enjoyed competing for many years. Upon discharge from the Army, Steve was hired as a police officer with the Galena Police Department. In 1990 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and became a Probation Parole Officer for the state of Wisconsin.

Steve was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed deer hunting on the family farm and fishing the mighty Mississippi. After retiring to Cassville in 1998, he became active with the Cassville Lions Club and the American Legion.

Steve will be dearly missed by his daughter, Susan (Eric) Brashaw of Freeport, Illinois; son Carson (Ileana) Barnett of Murray, Kentucky; daughter Lori (Dan Aeling) Barnett of Freeport, Illinois; two precious grandchildren, Brodie and Leela Barnett; three step grandchildren, Kaleb, Makayla, and Emily; brother-in-law, Gary Gaard of Anchorage, Alaska; sister-in-law, Virginia Barnett of Neenah, Wisconsin; beloved nieces and nephews, Amanda, Robyn, Jacqui, Erik, Ryan and Owen.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, William Barnett and Kathleen Gaard.

Friends may call from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Pratt Memorial Chapel in Richland Center on Saturday, January 24, 2026. A private burial will be held in the Blue River Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Cassville Lions Club or SSM Hospice Monroe. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements. Prattfuneralservice.com