Edward Barnabee

1939 - 2015

FARMINGTON - Edward Joseph Barnabee, 76, a lifelong resident of Farmington, Ill., passed away Monday morning, Aug. 31, 2015, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.

He was born March 8, 1939, to Joseph and Marguerite (Airola) Barnabee. He married Sue Melton on Sept. 9, 1962, in Galesburg, Ill.

His wife survives, along with daughters, Susan (Kelly) Long of Farmington, Ill., and Karen (Todd) Osing of Morton, Ill. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Truman and Grace Long and Aaron and Andrew Osing; as well as his sister, Carol (Cliff) Montgomery, who is of Washington, Ill.

Ed was preceded in death by his infant son, Edward Barnabee; his parents; and his brother, Kenneth (Barbara of Lincolnshire, Ill.) Barnabee.

He retired from CILCO after 34 years of service as a lineman.

He was a former member of the Illinois National Guard and the Illinois National Guard Rifle Team.

In addition to his full-time occupation, Ed farmed, was a builder and was inventor/owner of Barnabee Flyer Trap.

Ed was a world champion marksman and a member of the NRA, ATA and USFF.

Ed was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March of 2013. He was a nearly two and a half year survivor who maintained his active lifestyle after diagnosis, despite undergoing multiple surgeries, rounds of chemotherapy and participation in a clinical trial. Because most people have very limited time left after diagnosis, his family has established the Edward J. Barnabee Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research with Illinois Cancer Care in Peoria, Ill. To honor Ed's life and family, contributions to this fund may be made through the Bank of Farmington, 16 N. Main St., Farmington, IL 61531.

According to Ed's wishes, there will be no public services. A private remembrance will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank his doctors, friends, neighbors and extended family members for their support.