Barnes, Benjamin Levett

Benjamin Levett Barnes, 76, of Iowa City, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, at Mercy Iowa City following a lengthy illness. Celebration of life services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Iowa City, with Pastor Arnette Pint officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, where the family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. Interment, with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29, will take place at the Clay Township Cemetery, in rural Washington County.

Memorials have been established for Iowa City Hospice.

The Jones & Eden Funeral Home of Washington, Iowa, is assisting with arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent for Ben's family through the web at .

Ben was born on Jan. 22, 1935, in Clay Township, Washington County, Iowa, to Keith Levett and Viola Katherine (Stout) Barnes. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1953, where he lettered in football and track. Ben assisted his father, Keith in operating a 240 acre farm. He then enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy in 1954, where he was stationed at U.S. Naval Training Centers in Illinois and Oklahoma. During that time, he volunteered for aviation duty and was an airman apprentice. Ben was honorably discharged the following year in 1955. Ben obtained a Business Administration degree from the Iowa City Commercial College in 1956.

He later returned to Iowa where he married Patricia Anne Richardson of Washington, Iowa, in September 1956. Ben lived and worked in Fairfield before moving to Iowa City in 1960. Together Ben and Patricia had four children, before divorcing after more than 20 years of marriage.

Ben retired at age 52 as controller for Economy/Bankers Advertising Co. of Iowa City. He began his career with Economy as an assistant accountant, progressing to head accountant and later to controller over a 25 year period. Before this, Ben worked as office manager for the Big Three Farm Bureau Service Co. in Fairfield, Iowa. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, travel and classic cars. Ben was also a long time member of the Iowa City Eagles Club.

Ben remarried twice and was widowed both times. His second wife, Dorothy Elaine Loeffler, whom he married Feb. 14, 1984, was deceased in 1997. His third wife, Margaret Helen Milota, whom he married on Feb. 28, 2002, was deceased in 2008.

Ben is survived by three children, Benjamin Keith Barnes, wife Robyn, and their children Jessica Barnes, Nick Barnes and Heather Barnes, Valerie Lynn Barnes, and Paul James Barnes, wife Bridgette, and their children Hannah Lauren Barnes and Gabrielle Rae Barnes.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Ray Barnes (deceased in 2008); and is survived by William's children Corey Barnes and Joshua Barnes.

Ben was also preceded in death by his parents, Viola Katherine Barnes (deceased in 1994) and Keith L. Barnes (deceased in 2000); and his brother, James Barnes of Washington County (deceased in 2008).

Published in The Gazette Nov. 16, 2011.