David L. Barnes

David Lee Barnes, 71, of Forest, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, while in the care of Wyandot Memorial Hospital in Upper Sandusky, surrounded by his closest family. He was born in Lima on May 25, 1955, the son of Junior George Barnes and Lillian Marcella (Gilroy) Barnes. He graduated Riverdale High School before marrying his loving wife of 50 years, Bonnie Bash, on May 15, 1976 at Big Oak United Methodist Church near Wharton. She survives. Dave is also survived by two daughters: Amanda (Bryan) Morrison and Megan (John) Leonard, both of Forest; four grandchildren: Dakota (Glady) Morrison of Urbana, Brynn Morrison of Dunkirk, Addison and Cameron Leonard of Forest; two step-grandchildren: Thomas (Samantha) Leonard of Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Michael Leonard of Findlay; one sister: Diana Searls of Upper Sandusky. He was preceded in death by both of his parents. Dave was a traditional, family man. He enjoyed the simple things in life - a cup of coffee or a home-cooked breakfast; coin collecting; splitting firewood for the winter; woodworking and practicing fine craftsmanship; making waitresses laugh by giving them a hard time; complaining about running out of levels of Candy Crush to play because he had reached the end once again; acting as a personal taxi for his grandchildren; fishing; assembling jigsaw puzzles; collecting and shooting firearms; talking politics; sharing his passions and knowledge with his grandchildren; and working hard to support his family. Dave truly believed in hard work to improve the lives of those he cared about. In addition to dedicating 32 years of his life to factory work at the Ball Corporation, Dave served his community on the Forest-Jackson Volunteer Fire Department for 14 years from 1990 to 2004. In 1995, he was named "Firefighter of the Year" and awarded the Mayor's Recognition Award. Dave was a proud American, and cared deeply about his nation. He loved animals, and animals loved him. He was a proud father and grandfather, and a friend to many. He told it like it was, had no filter, and that's what everyone has come to love about him. It is an understatement to say all of those who crossed Dave's path have a story to tell! He will be truly missed. Funeral services will be held at 12:00PM on Tuesday, July 21 in the Clark Shields Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. A Christian burial will follow at Wharton-Richland Union Cemetery in Wharton. Long-time family friend Harry Launder will officiate. At Dave's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a leading children's hospital that treats the toughest childhood cancers and pediatric diseases. Visit www.Shieldsfh.com to send a condolence or to share a memory.

David L. Barnes

May 25, 1955 - July 17, 2026