E. F. "Bud" Barnett Obituary (1923

E.F. 'Bud' Barnett, 94, was called to the Church Triumphant on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, with his beloved daughter at his side. Bud fought a brave battle with prostate and bone cancer and COPD but managed to remain living with his daughter and her family until the end. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 10:30 am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3516 White Eagle Drive, Bloomington, IL, the Reverend Chad D. Lueck presiding. Military rites will be accorded by the Legionnaires of the Ruel Neal Post 79, LeRoy, IL. Cremation Rites will be accorded by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Visitation will be held following the service followed by a lunch. Ernest Franklin Barnett was born October 2, 1923, in Milan, TN, the youngest child of James and Martha Owens Barnett. He was nicknamed 'Bud' by his sister Mary. He lived in Tennessee until age 12, and moved to Kenmore Avenue in Chicago. In 1942, Bud joined the Army Air Corps and was a flight instructor at several air bases throughout the U.S. During the war Bud played guitar with the Air Corps Orchestra and several big bands. As well, he was the 1943 Middle Weight boxing champion of California. Bud was discharged in 1946, and the following year he met Lillian Kraft. They were married on August 30, 1947, in Oak Park, IL. She was called to the Church Triumphant on May 10, 2012. Bud is survived by his daughter Kyryth (Curt) Kessler, Bloomington, IL; two grandchildren, Curtis "Bud" Kessler, Jr, and Isabella Kessler, both in Bloomington. Also surviving are several nephews and nieces and his "granddog" Conley and "grandcat" Chester. Bud was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James; two sisters, Louise O'Day and Mary Gibbany; two infant sons, Franklin and Thomas, and two infant grandchildren, Clemency and Michael. During his lifetime, Bud was a gifted guitarist and an accomplished golfer, who played with many pros in tournaments. As well, he was the first Police Chief of Buffalo Grove IL, serving from 1958-1962. Afterwards, Bud became a first-rate Business Interruption Claims Adjuster for TransAmerica Insurance Company until his retirement in 1988. He and Lillian briefly moved to Sun City Center, FL, until their grandson Bud was born; they then made their home in Bloomington. The family wishes to thank the OSF Hospice Care Team, especially Julie, Michelle, Mary, Sara, Heather, Michael, Stephanie, and Dr. Robert Sawicki for their loving care of Bud in his final days. Also deserving of thanks is Dr. Benjamin Leak and Dr. Joseph Liu and their staff who treated Bud for several years. He was a loving daddy and papa. He will be sorely missed. Good night, Papa. We will see you in Heaven. I will always be your little girl. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com