Alice J. Barnes, age 69, of Elkhart, IN passed away unexpectedly as the result of an automobile accident on Friday, October 25, 2013. She was born on July 13, 1944 in Jones, MI the daughter of James Andrew & Helen Doreen (Reynolds) Papas. On July 1, 1967 she married Earnest “Ernie” Barnes; he survives.
Alice was a selfless individual that was always putting others before herself. She volunteered at several local food pantries and was on her way to do so again Friday morning when she met her Lord Jesus Christ instead. She retired from Ferris & McMeekin after 22 years of service. Alice was a talented musician and had played the organ & sang at her home church for several decades. She will be greatly missed the many whom she left her mark on their lives.
She is survived by her husband, Ernie Barnes of Elkhart; four children, Mary Gilchrist of Elkhart, Erma (John) Grover of Goshen, Tammy (Jeff) Grover of New Milford, PA, and James (Melissa) Barnes of Elkhart; seven grandchildren, Molly, Brandon, Rachel, Drake, Jay, Blake, and Katie; and a nephew, Brant Teeters of Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Donna Utt.
A funeral service will be held in her honor on Monday October 28, 2013 at 11AM at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church, 63983 CR. 15, Goshen, IN 46526. Bishop Jack De Vault & Pastor Michael Curton will officiate. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, IN.
Family and friends will be received at the church on Sunday October 27, 2013 from 4-7PM. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.