Ronald E. Barnett

Ronald E. Barnett, age 86 years, a resident of the Glendale community in rural Pope County Illinois since 1982, and a native of Williamson County, passed away Thursday evening, October 20, 2022, at 8:31 PM at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky. Ron was born August 10, 1936 in Pittsburg, Illinois. He was the youngest of three children born to Raymond William Barnett and Essie (Boyd) Barnett. On August 24, 1957, Ron was united in marriage to Suzanne Simpson at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, north of Marion. She survives. In addition to his wife, Ron is survived by: his children – Steven (his wife, Beresa) Barnett of Goreville, Ronald “Bruce” (his wife, Lorie) Barnett of Navarre, Florida, and Laura (her husband, Jeff) Evitts of the Glendale community; 12 grandchildren – Tara Lynn, Erica Leigh, Taylor Elizabeth, Heather Louise, Michael Bruce, Samantha Lynn, Brittney Alexandra, Ashton Leigh, Austin Earl, Charles Nicholas, Shelly Renee’, and Sarah Lynn; and 18 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by: a sister – Rosetta Lee Hendrickson and a brother – Robert Moses Barnett. Ron was a 1955 graduate of Marion Township High School, where he excelled at football. Ron also played football at Southern Illinois University. Ron was an office employee for a time at Firestone Tire and Rubber in the St. Louis, Missouri office and later in the Marion, Illinois office. He accepted a position with Williams Furniture Company in Marion, IL as a salesman. Ron later founded Barnett's Furniture in Marion in 1959. He owned and operated that location until selling to his son, Bruce, in 1981. The family also operated furniture stores in Salem, Woodlawn, and in 1983 they opened a location in Glendale, which is still operated by Ron and Suzanne’s daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Jeff Evitts. Ron spent 49 years serving Southern Illinois in the furniture business. Ron was very interested in encouraging and promoting youth in their endeavors. He had formerly coached youth baseball teams at Ray Fosse Park. Also, for many years, he was the youth Sunday School teacher at Second Baptist Church in Marion, Illinois. Ron and Suzanne worshipped at the Glendale United Methodist Church. Ron has served as chairman of the church council, a church trustee and both he and Suzanne were very involved in the music ministry of the church. In his youth, Ron enjoyed bird hunting and stock car racing. Although taking up the sport later in life, Ron became an avid golfer. He was also a staunch fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. A service honoring the life of Ronald E. Barnett will be conducted Monday afternoon, October 24, 2022, at 1 PM at the Glendale United Methodist Church, 464 Illinois State Highway 145 North, Simpson, Illinois. Pastor Pete Ryan will officiate. Burial will be in the Glendale Cemetery. Visitation will be conducted Monday, October 24, 2022, from 11 AM – 1 PM at the Glendale United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Glendale Cemetery Fund, c/o Charlotte Benard, 45 Cedar Grove Road, Simpson, IL 62985.

Ronald E. Barnett

August 10, 1936 - October 20, 2022