Fred Estel Barnett

Fred Estel Barnett was born to the late Robert Grene Barnett and Thelma Edna Day Barnett on November 22, 1937, in Rural Scott County (Alsey, Illinois) and died December 26, 2024, in Gilbert, Arizona. Fred attended Winchester elementary school and Campbell Hollow and then to Bluffs School to begin 6th grade. He graduated from Bluffs High School in 1956. Fred enlisted in Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval Station on August 21, 1956. He was stationed at various locations throughout his Navy career; Pensacola, Florida at Chase Field for one month, Norman, Oklahoma for six weeks for airplane mechanics school, Jacksonville, Florida for eleven weeks of aviation ordinance school. He spent two and a half years in Beeville, Texas at the Naval Aviation Air Station. He was then aboard the USS Hancock for a Pacific Voyage Cruise lasting one and a half years. During the voyage he traveled to San Francisco, Guam, Philippines, Hong Kong and Okinawa, Japan. He played on the USS Hancock fast pitch softball team as the only person that could catch the heat. In July of 1960 he ended his active duty at Treasure Island, California. He served four years of active duty and two years inactive. He was honorably discharged in August of 1962. Fred attended Central Missouri State at Warrensburg and studied Physical Education and Business. He was employed at Oscar Mayer from 1967 – 1987 and the Illinois Department of Corrections from 1992 – 2002. Fred was blessed with a loving family and friends. He married his best friend and fellow classmate since the 6th grade, Roberta on August 21, 1961, in Jacksonville, Illinois. Fred helped raise two children: Michael and Melissa with patience, humility and lots of love. Fred enjoyed collecting stamps and knives. Playing bingo, pinochle, kings in the corner and nickel knock with his friends at Copper Springs. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Fred was a man of integrity and truth. A man of few words but, when he spoke, we listened. Truly the strongest man in our lives. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones. Fred is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Michael and Kathleen Barnett, daughter Melissa Barnett-Carr, grandchildren Steven and Samuel Barnett, Myles and Malia Carr, granddaughter-in-law Molly Carr and great granddaughter Callie Grace Carr. A service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at the Daws Family Funeral Home in Bluffs with interment in Hillcrest Cemetery in Bluffs. A visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hillcrest Cemetery.

Fred Estel Barnett

November 22, 1937 - December 26, 2024