John and Jean Barnes were long-time supporters of and participants in the Adams County Fair. From the early 1980's into the 1990's, they and their children annually showed rabbits at the Fair. Jean and the kids raised and showed Dutch (black & blue, chocolate and torte), Dwarf, and Mini-Lop rabbits. John and the boys raised and showed Californians and Rexes.
What started as a family hobby evolved into John’s decades long work at the Rabbit Barn during the Fair. He started as an assistant superintendent, and then was Superintendent from 2003-2015. In addition to showing rabbits, Jean regularly entered canned green beans, fresh vegetables, and sunflowers into Fair competitions.
John and Jean loved getting ready for and working at the Fair each year and the many friendships formed over the years. They both spoke fondly about their Fair memories with their grandchildren, family, and friends.
John V. Barnes, Jr. (May 13, 1945 - July 6, 2016)
Karen Jean Barnes (April 9, 1943 - October 10, 2021).
John was born May 13, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John V., Sr. and Ruth Helen Penrose Barnes. He married Jean Whited on November 27, 1969 in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. She survives.
John was a 1963 graduate of Quincy High School. He then served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969. John was employed as a technician for Illinois Bell and its subsequent companies for 32 years until his retirement in 2002. John was an active member at PASA Park for over 30 years. He was interested in rabbit breeding and served as the superintendent of rabbit breeders at the Adams County Fair. John was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church.
What started as a family hobby evolved into John’s decades long work at the Rabbit Barn during the Fair. He started as an assistant superintendent, and then was Superintendent from 2003-2015. In addition to showing rabbits, Jean regularly entered canned green beans, fresh vegetables, and sunflowers into Fair competitions.
John and Jean loved getting ready for and working at the Fair each year and the many friendships formed over the years. They both spoke fondly about their Fair memories with their grandchildren, family, and friends.
John V. Barnes, Jr. (May 13, 1945 - July 6, 2016)
Karen Jean Barnes (April 9, 1943 - October 10, 2021).
John was born May 13, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John V., Sr. and Ruth Helen Penrose Barnes. He married Jean Whited on November 27, 1969 in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. She survives.
John was a 1963 graduate of Quincy High School. He then served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969. John was employed as a technician for Illinois Bell and its subsequent companies for 32 years until his retirement in 2002. John was an active member at PASA Park for over 30 years. He was interested in rabbit breeding and served as the superintendent of rabbit breeders at the Adams County Fair. John was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church.
Jean was born April 9, 1943 in Beardstown, IL, a daughter of Charles B. and Eunice L. Baehr Whited. She married John V. "Jack" Barnes, Jr. on November 27, 1969 in Mt. Sterling, IL. He preceded her in death on July 6, 2016.
Jean was a graduate of Gem City Business College, and she had worked at the Social Security Administration from 1963 to 1978 and at Sears from 1989 until her retirement in 2018. Jean also loved working with children, and during the 1980s she served as both a foster mother and as a caretaker in the church nursery, which she continued to do until this year. In her spare time, Jean enjoyed working in her garden, solving puzzles, listening to music, and reading. Most of all, she treasured the time that she spent with her grandchildren.
Jean was a 50 year member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church.
Jean was a graduate of Gem City Business College, and she had worked at the Social Security Administration from 1963 to 1978 and at Sears from 1989 until her retirement in 2018. Jean also loved working with children, and during the 1980s she served as both a foster mother and as a caretaker in the church nursery, which she continued to do until this year. In her spare time, Jean enjoyed working in her garden, solving puzzles, listening to music, and reading. Most of all, she treasured the time that she spent with her grandchildren.
Jean was a 50 year member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church.