David Richard Barnes

David Richard Barnes, age 76, passed away in Evansville, Indiana, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 12:59 PM.

He was born in Danville, Illinois, on June 11, 1949, to Howard Wayne Barnes Sr. and Mildred Jane Barnes (Limauge). David spent a joyful childhood growing up in Southern California. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Army and proudly served for three years, including two tours in Vietnam.

On March 1, 1970, he married the love of his life, Ethel Avon Dillion, in Danville, Illinois. Together, they raised three daughters in Southern California before relocating to Southern Illinois. David worked in the national defense industry for 39 years, a career he took great pride in before retiring.

He loved traveling across the United States to visit family and cherished time spent at home with loved ones.

David is survived by his wife, Ethel Barnes of Marion; daughters Beth Barnes (Gearld Thomas) of Herrin, Cynthia Barnes-Vaughn of Marion, and Amy Tibbs (James) of Marion; his aunt Shirley Roberts of Claremore, Oklahoma; brothers Donald Barnes of Benjamin, Utah, Charles Barnes of Moreno Valley, California, and Randy Barnes (Pam) of Kingman, Arizona.

He was a proud grandfather to Alisha Willett (Robert), Deborah Burgess (Andrew), Corey Thomas (Amanda), Peyton Vaughn (Tyler Wilson), Shane Vaughn (Haley), Braden Vaughn, Cassandra Norris, Dustin Tibbs, Nicholas Tibbs, Ethan Tibbs (Mahayla), Jade Tibbs, and Abbigail Norris, Tristan Tibbs, Kaleb Norris. He was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Vivian, Greyson, Colson, Anthony, Alivia, Ariel, Ashton, Karalyne, Cole, Maisey, Walker, and Layne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Howard W. Barnes Jr., Jerry Barnes, and Kenneth Dean Barnes; sisters Cynthia Hesterly-Reed and Cathy Daubert; uncle Tommy Roberts; aunts Louise Miller and Josephine Limauge; and two great-grandchildren, Aubrey Thomas and Austin Thomas. He is also remembered by several special nieces and nephews.

David was a remarkable man who inspired many, touched countless lives, and loved deeply.

Services have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. Visitation for David Barnes is on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Blue Funeral Home, 1704 N. Court St., Marion. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery.

If you cannot attend the service in person, please join us using the link. https://evt.live/funeral-service-david-barnes