Richard E. Barnett

Richard E. Barnett

Nov. 8, 1941- Feb. 10, 2024

COLUMBUS - Richard E. Barnett, 82, Veteran, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died February 10, 2024 at St Mary's Hospital in Madison, WI. Richard was born in Columbus and lived in the Columbus/Fall River area most of his life.

He graduated from Columbus High School in 1960 before joining the U.S. Army and served in Korea. Richard found the love of his life, Marilyn K. Sheldon, while stationed at Ft Leavenworth, KS.

After leaving of the Army, Richard and Marilyn married and moved to Wisconsin to work in his father's business. At his father's death, he took ownership and expanded the business to include the design and production of custom high speed cheese waxing equipment and innovative firefighting equipment which became standard for the fire industry, at both civilian and government facilities.

In his later life, Richard also worked for The Wisconsin Cheeseman, in Sun Prairie, WI as a Laser Programmer while operating an internet candle supply business, building and setting wax melting tanks for the small candle makers and cheese factories. Later he worked for St. Vincent de Paul in Columbus as Store Manager.

Richard also proudly served as Commander of the Fall River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2219 and

Commander of the Dodge County Council of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his sister, Linda Ring of Mankato, MN; his brother, Jon Barnett of Fort Worth, TX; two children: Jacquelyn Burcham of Fox Lake, WI and Michelle Barnett of Fall River, WI; one granddaughter, Lindsay (Ben) Franke of Fox Lake, WI; four great-grandchildren: Zyon Roberts, Pardeville, WI, Tyson Franke, Madison, WI, Tegan Franke, Fox Lake, WI and Willow Barnett, Lake Worth, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn (Sheldon); his parents, Dorothy (Walters) and Frank Barnett and his grandson, Travis Barnett.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM, on Friday, February 16, 2024 at St Patrick Catholic Church, Doylestown. Rev. Bala Kasipogu will officiate. Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Doylestown, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fall River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2219.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Richard's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com.