Jim Barnes
Jim Barnes was a man who wore many hats (all of them green with a Deere logo, of course). He was called Dad, Gramps, Great-Grandpa, Husband, Friend, Community Leader, devoted Catholic and Musician. The legacy he has left is incalculable. I would like to invite any friends or family members with stories or pictures they would like to share on this page to please email me.
Over the last few weeks many have talked about the Jim Barnes they knew. Every story usually involved his humor. Being close to Jim meant you were in on the joke. And you always knew, as one friend put it, when you saw that twinkle in his eye. We always knew to look for the twinkle or that goofy, toothy smile he'd flash. You couldn't miss it.
In the Press
Civic-minded Barnes also loved his music
By Jason M. Rodriguez
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus Print publication date: March 29, 2006
Bob Faris and Jim Barnes met in 1980 through their passion for bluegrass music.
Mr. Faris and his band, The Koffey Brothers, eventually worked for Mr. Barnes in 1988.
"One of the things that really set Jim Barnes apart from many promoters was his character and his integrity," Mr. Faris said from his Kansas home Tuesday. "In an industry that sometimes has people with questionable ethics and character, Jim Barnes' character and integrity really stood out.
"If he said something, you could really take it to the bank."
Mr. Barnes, 73, died Saturday, leaving behind a life of public service and a love for bluegrass music he shared each Labor Day weekend with thousands of visitors to the Mercer County Fairgrounds.
County board chairman Tom Harris said the Sherrard man was a longtime friend and colleague who always had the county's best interest at the forefront.
"He worked tirelessly," Mr. Harris said, adding Mr. Barnes worked through his illness even when he was on oxygen and needed a wheelchair to make it to county board meetings. "He tried to participate. He was always a good contributor. The thing about Jim is he always kept the meetings loose. If things ever got too testy, he'd come up with a joke to make sure everybody stayed civil."
Mr. Harris said he married his wife the same year Mr. Barnes and his wife, Eleanor, married -- 50 years ago in January.
Mr. Barnes served two years in the Army and retired from John Deere Parts Distribution Center, Milan, in 1994. He was first appointed to the county board in 1998.
Besides his county board duties, he had served on the board's nursing home and contract negotiations committees and the public building commission. He was also past chairman of the Mercer Growth Organization, Mercer County's economic development committee. Mr. Barnes also served on the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority.
His daughter, Cathy Wonderlich, has taken over the promotions and marketing of the bluegrass festival for years now, and there are no indications that Mr. Barnes' death will affect the festival.
Mr. Faris, originally from Iowa, remembers when his band traveled from Arkansas to work for a portion of ticket sales, which is a far cry from today's practice of hiring a band for a set price. Though Mr. Faris' bandmates thought the move was risky, Mr. Faris knew how Mr. Barnes was with his musicians.
"He always treated musicians with a great deal of care and concern," Mr. Faris said. "I have always had the best promoter-musician relationship with Jim Barnes."
Wally Green, former Mercer County board chairman and member of MERGO, said Mr. Barnes had a great deal of passion for economic development.
"He was a tireless worker," Mr. Green said. "He worked at it hard. Jim was very fair. Whatever he said, that's the way it was. You didn't have to worry about him going back on his word."
Mr. Green said Mr. Barnes was particularly passionate about the New Boston ferry project, having attended many meetings, conference calls and talking to legislators. "I can't hardly say enough good about him," he said.
Mr. Faris' oldest son, James, also a musician, said Mr. Barnes had "impeccable credibility" and that he felt his family was in debt to Mr. Barnes for helping them develop as musicians.
"We were always treated with a great deal of respect when we were there," James Faris said. "We were just treated like gold by Jim Barnes and his family."
Mercer County Board member dies at age 73
By J.C. Taylor
This story originally appeared in the Quad-City Times, which has given permission for its use.
SHERRARD, Ill. — Mercer County is mourning the loss of a public servant and a well-known musical personality. James Barnes died Saturday at Trinity at Terrace Park in Bettendorf. He had been battling an illness for several months.
Barnes, a Democrat from Sherrard, served on the Mercer County Board, representing District 3.
“He always kept the meetings loose, to say the least,” said Mercer County Board Chairman Tom Harris of Matherville. “He was a great guy to work with and no malice was ever shown on Jim’s part, only dedication to the county.”
Barnes had served on the County Board since the early 1990s. He previously was chairman of the county’s economic development arm, the Mercer Growth Organization. Barnes also did a stint as chairman of the Quad-City Regional Economic Development Authority, the local state bonding authority for Rock Island, Henry, Mercer an Knox counties.
Barnes, though, was best known locally for his bluegrass music affiliation, specifically his family band, the Bluegrass Redheads. They served as hosts every year of the Bluegrass Music Festival, which is held during Labor Day weekend at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Aledo. The event celebrated its 33rd year last summer.
“Jim was not only a colleague, but he was a friend to me personally for over 50 years,” Harris said. “He always had the best interests of this county in his heart and he worked tirelessly for the county. He’s certainly going to be sorely missed.”
Barnes was 73. Dennison Funeral Home Viola is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary
James W. Barnes
(July 25, 1932 - March 25, 2006)
James “Jim” Barnes, age 73, of Sherrard, Illinois died Saturday, March 25, 2006 at Trinity at Terrace Park, Bettendorf, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Matherville, Illinois. Burial is in St. John Cemetery, Viola, Illinois. Visitation is 3 – 7 PM, Monday, March 27 with Rosary to be recited at 7:15 PM at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Memorials may be left for the Mercer County Nursing Home or St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Jim was born July 25, 1932 in Perryton Township, Illinois, the son of Francis and Marguerite (Mier) Barnes. He married Eleanor Franck, January 28, 1956 at St. Ambrose Church, Milan. He graduated from Joy High School and St. Ambrose College. Jim served two years in the Army.
He retired from John Deere Parts Warehouse, Milan in 1994.
Jim enjoyed Bluegrass music and was the founder of the Annual Bluegrass Festival in Aledo. He also enjoyed Standard Bred Horse Racing.
He was a member of the Mercer County Board, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2019, Matherville, United States Trotting Association, Illinois Harness Horse Asscoiation, UAW Local 79 and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Matherville.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor Barnes, Sherrard, Illinois, a son; Tim Barnes, Ashland City, TN, daughters and spouses; Theresa Panther and Dennis Goben, Preemption, IL, Mary Kenney, Aledo, IL, Cathy and Craig Wonderlich, Moline, IL, Carol and Richard Bode, McLean, IL, Sarah and Jim Norburg, Wilmington, NC and Margaret Wagner, Roanoke, IL, 15 grandchildren; Tara, Ross, and Morgan Barnes, Adam, Kelly and Melissa Panther, Jolena Kenney, Valerie Smith, Salena Hutchins, Tyrel, Jeffrey and Charles Klein, Jessica Norburg and Josh and Kirby Wagner, 8 step grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 12 step great grandchildren, sister; Marilyn DeClerck, Reynolds, IL, a brother John Michael Barnes, Crossville, TN and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, James Panther and Benjamin Kenney.