Eldon L. Barnes

Eldon L. Barnes, of Sioux City passed from this earth on Sunday, September 6, 2015. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at Seventh-day Adventist Church. Burial with military rites will be in Hillside Cemetery in Merrill, IA. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Jesus visited Eldon in his hospital room, led him into a pleasant bright light where his wife, Avon & daughter Melanie were waiting for him. This man who was a Christian, a quiet family man, who walked a strong faith now resides in his Heavenly Home. He will soon be attending a huge family/friend reunion, will be preaching & teaching from his Bible in his new home. Eldon was a faithful member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church where he attended services as well as teaching Bible classes every Saturday & on special occasions. Eldon was born on June 7, 1933; the son of R.C. and Vera (Tackett) Barnes. He grew up with 5 sisters: Leanna, Carlotta (deceased), Eleanor, Becky and Elaine and 2 brothers: Kenneth (deceased) and Gerald. Eldon graduated from the Bedford, Iowa High School. He married Avon Trometer on June 22, 1957 in St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, IA. They raised 4 children: Gregg, Terry, Melanie (deceased) and Valerie in various places in Iowa and South Dakota. Eldon was in the grocery business, owning stores in Viborg and Alcester, SD before moving to Sioux City. Eldon and Avon enjoyed 52 years of marriage before Avon's passing on February 15, 2009. Their daughter, Melanie passed away on December 21, 2012. Around 1996, Eldon became very ill with a heart condition. He was a lucky recipient of a heart transplant in Omaha, NE. in June of 1997 and had a 2nd chance at a normal life for many years. A couple years ago, he had some health issues and lost the ability to live in his own home due to blindness. He was living in a nursing home facility when he took a fall that put him in the hospital where he passed away. His family who will miss his love, prayers and teachings are: Gregg (wife Genosa) and their daughters Autumn, Leah and Mia; Terry (wife Lucinda) and their daughter Natalie; Melanie (deceased) her husband Duane and their son Michael and stepsons: Matt and Josh; Valerie (fiancé Steve Swanson) and children: Tyler, Travis, Stephanie, Carrie, Collin and Hannah. Eldon also enjoyed his 7 great grandchildren: Jack, Carson, Andrew, Kinsey, Grace, Cash, Cooper and one on the way who will be named Max Eldon. Attending that huge family/friends reunion in Heaven are Eldon's parents, siblings, many relatives as well as in-laws and a host of friends. We'll see Eldon if we look up at that beautiful blue sky hearing him say his favorite phrase, ALWAYS FORGIVE.