Obituary: Bernard ‘Barney’ Barnett, 95, of Branch.

Barney Barnett

Obituary: Bernard ‘Barney’ Barnett, 95, of Branch.

Bernard H. “Barney” Barnett, 95, of Branch, passed away peacefully at home Saturday Dec. 5, 2020. Barney was born Nov. 10, 1925 in Scottville, the son of Harry and Carrie (Locke) Barnett. He was a 1943 graduate of Scottville High School. Barney enlisted in the Naval Reserve and began flight training before being drafted by the U.S. Army. He served overseas in World War II in Vienna, Austria and was honorably discharged at war’s end.

After returning home Barney went on to college at Central Michigan College (now Central Michigan University) where he received his bachelor’s degree in education.  He also received a master’s degree from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Barney taught high school business classes in Dearborn for 15 years and then taught for 19 years at Ludington High School before retiring in 1986.

Barney was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved and lived music. He was in several different musical groups, and managed many as well. He was the driving force behind the creation of what is now known as the General Assembly Jazz & Big Band. He started a Dixie band in Sarasota, Fla. called the Dixie Dockers. He was a charter member and life member of the Scottville Clown Band, joining the band during its inaugural season in 1947. Barney was the last surviving founding member of the Clown Band.

He was also a member of the NRA, the Pere Marquette Watershed Council, and the American Legion.

Barney is survived by his children, Vince (Sally) Barnett, Shawn (Rich) Davidian, Kal (Kris) Barnett, and Ben Barnett; grandchildren, P.J. and Joe Davidian, Andrew, Dan, Tom, Bridgette and Kyle Barnett; and great-grandchildren, Leanna, Kalvin, Haley, Riley, Madison, Isaac, Blake and Elisabeth Barnett; Nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Barney was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn; brother and sister-in-law Lloyd and Lelia Barnett; and nephew Richard Barnett.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a service with military honors is being planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice or the Scottville Clown Band scholarship fund, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.