Viola Barnes, 77

Viola Ruth Barnes, age 77 of Three Rivers, died Sunday Sep. 19, 2010 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on July 23, 1933 the daughter of Robert and Lucile (Bohm) Flack, and attended Three Rivers Schools. Viola was married to Charles E. Barnes in Plainwell on Jan. 1, 1950. Together they raised a family and operated a farm near Leonidas until Charles’ death on Dec. 12, 1983. She had also worked at Research Molding in Mendon from 1963 to 1978.

Viola is survived by daughter, Patricia Chase (Jim) of Three Rivers; 2 sons, Charles Barnes Jr. (Julie) of Mendon and Phillip Barnes of Three Rivers; 5 grandchildren, Kim Thomas (Jessie Smith), Charles Guiter (Amy), Joanne Chase (Paul Vosberg), Lorrie Hagenbuch (Jamie) and Doug Barnes (Lilla); 9 great grandchildren, Gage Guiter, Emily Guiter, Jude Guiter, Zach Guiter, Connor Thomas, Josie Smith, Ty Barnes, Carson Barnes, and Juliana Hagenbuch; She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a grandchild, Chloe Guiter.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday Sep. 22, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers with Rev. Dr. Maria Rutland officiating. Burial will be in Prairie River Cemetery in Centreville. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association. An online register is available and condolences may be left at www.efhchapel.com