Richard Barnebee, 84

Richard Lee “Dick” Barnebee, age 84, of Mendon, died Monday, March 5, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born Dec. 18, 1927, in Sturgis, a son of William N. and S. Eleanor (Parham) Barnebee. He attended Brighton (Ind.) Schools and graduated from Colon High School in 1948. He worked briefly for Miller’s Standard Station in Leonidas.

Dick was married to Ardis L. Outman on Sept. 16, 1950, before serving in the U.S. Army, where he fought in Korea.

Upon his return from the military, he worked at M&R (later Ross and Abbott) Labs in Sturgis.

Dick engaged in general farming for most of his life, and delivered grain for area farmers. He also learned to weld, and was always helping with repairs and welding for friends and neighbors. He especially enjoyed working on and restoring old tractors. He was also a long-time member of the Leonidas Bible Church.

Dick is survived by his wife, Ardis; three daughters, Faith (Ronald) Taylor of Sturgis, Joy Vosburg of Mendon, and Jean (Brett) Johnson of Mendon; six grandchildren, Shaunna (Trevor) Johnson, Gabriel (Rita) Taylor, Shadric Vosburg, Shellie (Wayne) Bush, and twins Amie and Angie Vosburg; 11 great-grandchildren, Anna, Ethan, Isabelle, Livi, Morgan, Owen, Samantha, Makayla, Abigail, Madison, and Max; one sister, Dorothy (John) Persing of Akron, Ohio; brother-in-law, Lyle Outman of Leonidas and the rest of the Outman family; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Rosemary Outman.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Revs. Curtis Bennett and David Farrell officiating. Burial will be in Beard Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to either the Wounded Warrior Project, or to the Leonidas Bible Church.

An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com.