Lester Barnes, veteran and dedicated public servant, dies at 92

Story Highlights • Lester Barnes, a Korean War veteran and longtime Wexford County public servant, died at age 92. • He is remembered for his military service and extensive civic leadership, including roles on numerous county boards.

CADILLAC — Lester Barnes was out of the public eye for several years, but the impact he made remains.

On Monday, Barnes died at home. He was 92.

During his life, he accomplished many things. He graduated from Mesick High School and shortly after joined the Navy, serving his country during the Korean War. His stories from his time in the service were preserved as part of the Veterans History Project through the Library of Congress.

The U.S. Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. Barnes was one of five veterans from the Cadillac area selected to share their stories. The project, part of the American Folklife Center, collects, preserves and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from them and better understand the realities of war.

Veterans’ stories can be told through personal narratives, such as audio- and videotaped interviews or written memoirs. They can also be shared through correspondence — including letters, postcards, v-mail and personal diaries — or visual materials such as photographs, drawings and scrapbooks.

The project includes first-hand accounts from veterans of World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the U.S. invasions of Grenada and Panama, Operation Restore Hope, the Persian Gulf War, United Nations operations in Somalia, the U.S. intervention in Haiti, Operation Allied Force, peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Operation Joint Guardian, the War on Terrorism, the Afghan War and the Iraq War.

Barnes shared his story during a recorded interview at the Wexford County Veterans Service Office in December 2017.

On June 14, 1953, Barnes married Barbara Wilkerson in Lanett, Alabama. The couple shared 71 years together. After leaving the Navy, Barnes worked for Pennwalt Corp. as a dental repairman, sales manager and manager of a group of dental supply stores. After retiring, he and Barbara purchased and operated Mesick Hardware until 1996.

It was after his retirement that Barnes began his career in public service to the citizens of Wexford County. In 2019, he was honored for that dedication.

He was recognized by the Wexford County Board of Commissioners, which adopted Resolution 19-23 on Sept. 18, 2019. The resolution detailed his many leadership roles, including vice chair of the board, chairman of the finance committee and vice chair of the executive committee.

Barnes also served in leadership positions with the Wexford County Department of Public Works, District Health Department No. 10 and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health. He served on the Area Agency on Aging and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. In 2016, Barnes took on the role of chairman of the Veterans Services Committee from its inception and continued to serve in that position.

Visitation for friends and family will begin with military honors at 6 p.m. Saturday at Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home in Cadillac. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow at Antioch Township Hall, located at 4490 N. 19 Road in Mesick. Graveside committal services will be held at Antioch Township Cemetery.