Donald Martin Barnes, 95, of Fairbury passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Evenglow Health Center, Pontiac. He was born on August 19, 1918 to Clair and Bessie (Martin) Barnes who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Vivian Schoon, and his brother, Stanley Barnes. Bob Doran, a special friend who lived with the family for a time, also preceded him in death.

Surviving are two daughters, Bonnie Hacker (Jack) and Kathy Coats (Bob) and 6 grandchildren: Deb (Hacker) Morneau (Tim), David Hacker (Dave), Jeff Hacker (June), John Hacker (Val), Bob Coats (Bei) and Don Coats, as well as 16 great grandchildren.

His visitation and the funeral service will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home in Fairbury. Visitation is from 9:00-10:45, followed by the service at 11:00. An Inurnment will follow the service in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury; with full military rites conducted by the Fairbury American Legion and VFW. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Fairbury or to Evenglow Health Center in Pontiac.

Don graduated from Fairbury High School. In 1939 he married Mildred Rathbun. They lived and worked in various locations finally settling in Fairbury, Illinois, where they remained until they moved to Evenglow Health Center of Pontiac, Illinois, in 2011. On September 30, 2013, they celebrated 74 years of marriage. Don lost Millie, the love of his life, on October 29, 2013.

Don and Millie had many common interests which included golf, fishing, card games, and traveling. He also enjoyed hunting, cooking his catches, and was known for his wonderful smelt fries. They spent many of their retirement winters in Texas enjoying new friends, golf and fresh seafood.

During his life Don always enjoyed doing something different and worked in many different occupations in his quest for a challenge. Among the jobs he mastered were his painting and landscaping business, working as a co-owner of the A&B garage, and driving trucks hauling cattle and limestone. Don and Millie spent their last working years at Addis Auto Supply. Don's all-time favorite job was working high steel construction in Chicago.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the U.S.S. Shasta, a munitions ship. He held memberships in the American Legion, the Oddfellows and in the Masonic Lodge where he served as Worshipful Master during the late 50's.

Don was actively involved in volunteer activities in Fairbury. He engineered and helped build the first ballpark field in Fairbury. They cut down trees to make the light poles, dug the holes for the poles, used a wrecker to set them in place, and wired the lights. He was also involved for two summers helping to build the golf course. He and Millie also spent many Saturday nights working the main gate for the midget and stock car races.

As many people can testify, Don also loved a good prank. One of the family favorites is the tale of the cornhusker wagon that he and four other young men took apart one night and re-assembled on top of the owner's barn.