George F. Barnes' Obituary
Mr. George Francis Barnes, age 84, passed away very peacefully, Sunday, November 13, 2016, in Whitehall. He was born October 9, 1932 in LaPorte, IN to Julius F. and Loretta Ann (Naughton) Daele; and had resided in several communities before returning to Muskegon, in 1973. George loved people and had a wonderful sense of humor. Interacting and working with people became his life’s work. He was also a life-long Notre Dame fan, with his father working in its print shop and being buried in Notre Dame’s Cemetery. He received his BA from Aquinas College, his Masters of Philosophy from St. Jerome’s University in Kitchner, Ontario; his Masters of Divinity from St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth, MI; his Masters of Social Work from Arizona State University and his Masters of Counseling at Central Michigan University. George retired as Director of Special Education with M.A.I.S.D. in 1996, where he had been employed 23 years. Previously, Rev. Fr. George F. Barnes served four years at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, 2 years at Mt. Pleasant’s Sacred Heart Parish and two years at St. Mary’s Parish here in Muskegon. Following his retirement, George was very active in the community with his Prison Ministry, providing Prayer and Communion Services; and his volunteer work at Tanglewood. In February of 1974, he married the former Sara Jane “Sally” McGough; and she preceded him in death on January 16, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his biological father, Julius, who passed away on the day of George’s birth, his step-father, Richard J. Barnes; and his mother, Loretta. SURVIVORS include his brother, Tom (Mary) Barnes; niece, Amy (Morgan) Wells; step-children, Barbara (Steve) Friedman and their son, Zachary, Dave (Patti) McGough and their daughters, Rachel and Katie, Sue (Byron) Pflaum and their children, Adrianna and Jason. A special thank you to Nancy Dunwell for her love and care for George; and for bringing so much joy into his life. A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be celebrated 10:00 AM Friday, November 18, 2016 at St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 239 W. Clay, Muskegon, MI 49440 with friend and seminary classmate, Rev. Fr. Paul Milanowski, presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. VISITATION with George’s family will be from 9AM – 10AM Friday, prior to The Mass at Church. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider the Loretta Daele Barnes Scholarship Fund at Aquinas College or a Charity of your Choice. You are also invited to sign the family's Online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442, 231-726-5210.
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