Christian Biography of LeRoy Edwin Barnes

LeRoy Edwin Barnes, son of Milton (Mickey) D. Barnes and Emma (Crawford) Barnes, was born on September 14, 1931 at home in Sioux City, Iowa. He passed away peacefully on November 7, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Home in Superior, Nebraska at the age of 90 years, 1 month, and 23 days. LeRoy lived in South Sioux City his whole early life and graduated with the class of 1949 from South Sioux City High School. He attended Wayne State College for two years majoring in Business and played trumpet in the college band.

In 1951, LeRoy moved back to South Sioux City to work various jobs, and he joined a roller-skating club where he met the love of his life, Joy Liston. LeRoy and Joy were married on February 18, 1954 at Riverside Methodist Church in Sioux City, IA. Fortunately, LeRoy and his brother Ray made it to the church just in time, as the town siren blew for a local fire and the two thought it would be fun to chase the fire trucks. To this union was born two daughters, Rhonda Kae and Linda Sue.

While living in South Sioux City, LeRoy worked as a Superintendent Purchasing Agent at the Sioux City Stockyards for 37 years. With this position he traveled and represented the Stockyards at FFA and school programs/events around the region. LeRoy earned an Honorary State FFA Degree and attended the National FFA Convention several times. In their free time, LeRoy and Joy looked forward every month to pinochle club and polka dancing club (where they dressed to the nines)!

For their next stage in life, LeRoy and Joy moved to Abilene, Kansas where they purchased and operated a Dairy Queen & Sandwich shop. This is where LeRoy further developed his love for ice cream and recognized the importance of the perfect curly cue on an ice cream cone! After a few years, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where LeRoy managed a Little King restaurant in LaVista. As grandchildren grew older, LeRoy and Joy decided they wanted to be near family more and moved to Hardy, Nebraska. LeRoy worked for the Hardy Co-Op and later for Zoltenko Farms (while semi-retired), until he broke his back in a serious car accident that forced him to retire for good.

LeRoy recognized the importance of giving back to his community. While living in Sioux City, LeRoy was a member of the United Methodist Church, South Sioux City Planning and Zoning Committee, Dakota County Sanitary Improvement District, Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, Conservation Committee Chairman, Rural-Urban Visitation Program, Farm to Market Trucker's Day Committee, Toastmasters, President of the Dolphin Swim Club and Tri-State Swim League. While living in Abilene, LeRoy was on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Optimist Club, Elks Lodge, and the Methodist Church. Moving to the Superior, Nebraska area, LeRoy was a member of the United Methodist Church and held officer positions with the Elks Lodge and Republican Valley Bird Club.

LeRoy enjoyed reading his Bible faithfully every night and rarely ever missed church. His faith was so very important to him. LeRoy read historical and military nonfiction books (often 2-3 books per week), throughout his whole life. He embraced technology later in life and spent many hours a day on the computer following family, catching up on news and events, and exploring the world on YouTube. LeRoy loved watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren's' events and attending all sporting, music, and extracurricular activities.

Some of the joys of LeRoy's life were the moments when he and Joy were able to travel. When Rhonda and Linda were young, they enjoyed traveling to Liston family reunions and camping almost every weekend in the summers with swim club friends. Later in life, his favorite trips included visiting grandchildren in Texas, going to Germany twice with brother Ray and sister-in-law Rosie, traveling to Washington D.C., and taking multiple various bus trips.

While living at Kingswood Court Assisted Living, LeRoy loved socializing, playing BINGO, and playing cards. Recently, LeRoy was especially proud of creating a "Happy Hour" once a week to be hosted in his apartment. He absolutely loved the staff and experience at Kingswood Court!

LeRoy thoroughly enjoyed spending time on the telephone, whether that was catching up with loved ones or calling everyone on his Christmas list (in lieu of sending cards). It was clear that LeRoy always had time for a conversation.

LeRoy is preceded in death by his parents Milton (Mickey) and Emma Barnes, sister Marjorie Miller, brother Raymond Barnes, sister-in-law Mary (and Kenneth) Robertson, and brothers-in-law Donald (and Dorothy) Liston and Merle (Buster) Liston.

Survivors include his wife, Joy, of 67 years of marriage (Superior, NE); daughters Rhonda (Greg) Edwards of Hardy, NE and Linda Jones of Hastings, NE. Surviving eight grandchildren include Jason (Cynthia) Heilman and Jessica (Michael) Ling of Texas City, TX, Jerad (Sasha) Heilman of San Antonio, TX, Matthew (Jessi) Edwards of Superior, NE, Lance Edwards of Lincoln, NE, Gina (Nicholas) Kroon of Oakland, IA, Blake Edwards of Lincoln, NE, and Joshua Heilman of Hastings, NE. Surviving fourteen great grandchildren include Hailey Heilman (James Marshall), Brandon Essex, and Brooke Essex of Texas City, TX; Lilly, Dylan, and Marley Edwards of Superior, NE; Emma, Krae, Ella, and Kora Kroon of Oakland, IA; Nola Edwards of Lincoln, NE; and Isha, Jerad Jr., and Stephen Heilman of San Antonio, TX. Surviving great great grandchild is Jason Marshall of Texas City, TX. Step-grandchildren include Colby (Lavalea) Richardson and Jacob Richardson of Texas City, TX, and step-great grandchildren Colson and Oliana Richardson of Texas City, TX. Survivors also include sisters-in-law Rosie Barnes of El Paso, TX, Clara (Leonard) Voss of Cheney, KS, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church in Superior, Nebraska with Pastor Natalie Faust and Pastor Dorthea Fairbanks officiating.

Music was "Amazing Grace," ukulele solo by Emma Kroon, "Unforgettable" recording, "Here I Am Lord," congregational hymn, "Lord's Prayer," solo by Vickie Nielsen, "Smile" recording and "No Place Like Nebraska," recording with Carlita Price as the organist.

Pallbearers were Matt Edwards, Lance Edwards, Blake Edwards, Joshua Heilman, Jason Heilman, Jerad Heilman, Nick Kroon and Jim Hope. Honorary Pallbearers were Gina Kroon, Jessica Ling, Jessi Edwards, Sasha Heilman, and Cynthia Heilman.

Interment was in the Hardy Cemetery at Hardy, Nebraska.

Memorials may go in care of the family where they will be disbursed to the chosen foundations and other charitable causes chosen by LeRoy.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.