Leo J. Barnes Sr.
May 16, 1944 – February 8, 2022
Leo J. Barnes Sr., age 77, of Manhattan passed away unexpectedly at his home on February 8, 2022. Survived by his loving wife of 56 years Gwenneth (nee Crass) Barnes, his children Jayne (John Sims) Barnes, Sue (Richard) Knaperek, Diane (Matthew) Maguire and Leo Jr. “Jamie” (Susan) Barnes, grandchildren William “Keith” Cosmen, Kevin (Karen) Cosmen, Karl Cosmen, Matthew Maguire Jr., Collin Maguire, Wyatt Barnes and Eva Faith Barnes, two great grandchildren Emaira Cosmen and Henry Leo Cosmen, brothers Jesse Barnes and Terry (Shirley) Barnes, sister Doris Thomas, brothers-in-law Joseph Crass and Carl Goad and sister-in-law Carol Harmon and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Minerva Barnes, sister Eileen Siemens, and brothers Fred, Frank and Merlin Barnes. Leo grew up in Pittsfield, IL and moved to Manhattan, IL in 1956. Graduate of Manhattan Grade School class of 1958 and Lincoln-Way High School class of 1962. Leo worked at Caterpillar for 31 years. After retirement he worked at Vogelman in Frankfort and Darcy’s in Joliet. Leo was a proud veteran who served his country in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. He was a long-time member of the Manhattan American Legion Post 935 and a reliable member of the Military Funeral Honor Guard. Leo took great joy in helping people, he was handy and could fix just about anything and he also enjoyed his motorcycles, tractors and cars. Leo was a softspoken man, his genuine smile and easy going attitude is what drew people to him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to many and he will be dearly missed. Visitation for Leo will be on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 3-7:00 P.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. An additional one hour visitation will take place on Saturday, February 12, from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Melwyn Alagodi of Manhattan United Methodist Church officiating. Interment with full military honors will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park I, Joliet immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leo’s name to Manhattan American Legion Post 935, P.O. Box 171, Manhattan, IL 60442 would be most appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.
February 12, 2022 – 10:00 am cst
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