Eva Mae Barnes

She was born November 13, 1929 in Pleasant Hill, IL, the daughter of Virgil J. and Ruby Richards Barton. She married Merlin C. Barnes on November 19, 1950 in the Christian Church in Pleasant Hill. He preceded her in death on February 3, 2012.

Eva is survived by two daughters, Linda S. Smith of Boyd, TX, and Karen (Marty) Visser of Lake Steven, WA; one son, David (Carol) Barnes of Chillicothe, IL; seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary (Larry) Pennewell of Wisconsin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Burdette and Richard Dale; and two sisters, Mildred Butterfield and Norma (Jeannie) Griffeth.

After graduating high school she attended Gem City business College in Quincy, IL. She then got a job in the bank in Cambridge, IL where she worked three and half years before moving to Peoria, IL where Merlin worked for Caterpillar.

Eva didn’t start working again until after her children were in school and then she started working at Woodrow Wilson Grade School in the lunchroom. She worked there for eleven years before transferring to Lindberg Middle School as a manager. She retired in 1992 with twenty-five years at District 150.

She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria, IL.

Services will be at 11:00 am Monday April 24, 2017 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria, IL. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Rev. Dr. Ritch Boerckel will officiate.

Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, IL.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society of Peoria, IL.

To view Eva’s memorial page or to leave an online condolence please go to www.davison-fulton.com.