Charles Wilson Barnes

BARNES, Charles W. "Chuck"
Kalamazoo, MI

Charles Wilson Barnes, age 91, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He was born on February 12, 1927 in Kalamazoo, MI a son of Harold E. and Josephine E. (Watts) Barnes and had been a lifelong area resident. Chuck served in the US Army Air Corps during WW II and then returned to Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo College. While at K College he met Dona R. Weidman and they were married on September 12, 1948. Chuck served as president of Barnes Printing Company, was active in the Downtown Kiwanis Club, YMCA, Senior Services and the Gull Country Club and Yacht Club. He enjoyed summers at Gull Lake, sailing trips in the British Virgin Islands and celebrating holidays and birthdays with family and friends. Chuck and Dona enjoyed spending time and traveling with their Kalamazoo friends - "The Motley Crew from Kalamazoo". Chuck really enjoyed sailing his Star boat on Gull Lake and Lake Michigan and ice boating on Gull Lake. He also enjoyed traveling to the BVIs (especially Peter Island), Galapagos, Belize, France and Ireland. He will be remembered for his good nature and kind heart. Chuck was preceded in death by Dona on November 6, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Stanton Barnes and a sister, Judy Van Hoeve. Surviving are two daughters, Lynn (Tom) Belco of Plainwell and Nancy (Thomas Frank) De Koning of Kalamazoo; four grandchildren, T.C. (Kat) Belco, Andrew Belco, Kelly Belco and Monica (Greg) Koning; four great-grandchildren, Paige, Kayla, Logan and Lucas Koning; two great-great-grandsons, Emerson and Asher Selkirk; brother-in-law, Dave Van Hoeve: and nieces, Wendy (Steve) Kelley and Sharie (Tim) Kellner. Chuck's family would like to thank the wonderful people at Custom Care Link, especially Donna, Sue, Jessica and Diana for their loving care. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 29th from 1-3pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street where services will begin at 3pm with Rev. Dr. Douglas Vernon officiating. Private burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. A Memorial Celebration of Charles' life will be held from 4:00 to 7:00PM on Wednesday, April 10th at the Gull Lake Country Club, 9725 W. Gull Lake Drive, Richland, MI 49083. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to Pretty Lake Camp. Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, the YMCA or the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Please visit Charles' webpage for directions, online guest book or to leave a condolence at www.langelands.com