Floyd W. Barnes, 97, of Mount Vernon passed away Monday morning, July 16, 2018.
He was born Feb. 7, 1921 to John and Sylvia (Hissong) Barnes in Mount Vernon.
Floyd was a Professional Surveyor. He retired from the Knox County Engineers Office in 1992 after 42 years. He was also a partner of Barnes and Tracy Surveyors for a number of years. He served six years in the Army and Veteran of World War II. He was a Forward Observer for his Field Artillery Battery. He was wounded in Germany during the Battle of the Bulge and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
He was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Mount Vernon Exchange Club, Farm Bureau and life member of the Knox County Humane Society. Floyd was a friend to all animals and shared his home and cared for many strays.
Floyd is survived by a daughter-in-law, Cathy Barnes of Howard; grandchildren, Eric Beach of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Stephanie (Rod) Mowery, of Howard; great grandchildren, Elizabeth “Liz” Beach and Brandon Beach, of Howard, Grace Beach and Emma Beach, of Wake Forest, North Carolina; a longtime friend, Priscilla Stricker; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Floyd was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ruth (Shultz) Barnes on Nov. 30, 2011; son, Daniel G. Barnes on Jan. 29, 2015; two brothers, Leland and Irwin Barnes; sister, Thelma Blair; and canine best friends and companions, Joey his shepherd and Honey his yellow lab.
In 1939 when Floyd got out of high school, jobs were few to be had and he decided to enlist in the Army. After Pearl Harbor, his artillery unit was sent to Iceland in February of 1942. While there he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In July of 1943, he was sent back to the States on Special Duty to help train recruits at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. It was then while on leave before reporting in at Fort Jackson that he married Ruth Shultz, his high school sweetheart.
He went back overseas with the 231st Field Artillery to join forces with the war in Germany. He was wounded December 18th in the Battle of the Bulge. After four weeks in the hospital in England he was back with his Artillery Battery in Germany to help finish the war. Back home he started to work in the Knox County Engineers Office in October of 1945.
In December 1948 he received his Professional Surveyor License after passing the State Board Examination. He retired from the County Engineers Office in January 1992. Floyd was a lover of animals and after retirement he spent much of his time along with friends of the Humane Society finding homes for stray and homeless dogs and cats.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, 201 Newark Rd., Mount Vernon, where a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 with Mr. Roger Marra officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Dogs of Knox Fund Inc., c/o Marla McCuthchen, 11819 Pleasant Valley Rd., Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.
To share a memory or send an expression of sympathy to the family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Floyd W. Barnes.
