Obituary of Ronald Barnes

Ronald F. Barnes of Vestal Ronald F. Barnes, 89, of Vestal, died Saturday, September 11, 2010 at the Willow Point Nursing Home, Vestal. He was predeceased by his wife, Marguerite; a son, Steven; and a granddaughter, Melissa. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Darla and Bob Krome, Johnson City; grandchildren, Christine (Nick) Andretta, Rebecca (Joel) Parsons, Stephen, Nathan and Bethany Krome, and Matthew Barnes; a great-granddaughter, Anabella Parsons; a daughter-in-law, Cathy Barnes; and a devoted companion and dear friend, Mary Juriga; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ronald was a decorated veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Army in the European Theater. He was a retired employee of IBM and a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club. Ronald was a good husband and father, a kind, considerate man who loved his family and his country. The funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Thursday at the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main Street, Vestal. The Rev. Mary Ricketts, Co-Pastor of the Vestal United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Those wishing may make contributions to the Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main St., Vestal, NY, 13850, or to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 804 W. Diamond Ave., Ste 210, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Preprinted Newspaper Articles from 1944 Pfc. Ronald Barnes Wounded Twice in Reich Pfc. Ronald Barnes, 24, was wounded in action for the second time April 18 in Germany. His wife, Marguerite, of 524 Chenango Street, received a War Department telegram and a letter in which her husband said he had been flown to a hospital in France. He gave no further details of his injuries. Private Barnes was wounded for the first time Jan. 20 in France when a jeepload of dynamite exploded. He was hospitalized for two months, and subsequently was awarded the Purple Heart. Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Barnes, 23 Blanchard Avenue, he served with an armored infantry unit of the U. S. 7th Army. He is a graduate of North High School and a former IBM employee. In the army since November, 1942, he has been overseas since November, 1944. Wounds Don't Stop Binghamton Yank For "heroic achievement" in Germany, Pfc. Ronald F. Barnes, husband of Mrs. Marguerite Barnes, 524 Chenango Street, and son of Mr. and Mrs. James Barnes, 23 Blanchard Avenue, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The award was accompanied by an official citation, which read in part: "For heroic achievement near Polling, Germany, April 19, 1945. When a crater was blown in the path of the advancing troops, Private Barnes, though wounded by the severe enemy fire, took up a position along the flank of the column, guarding the vehicles and men against the possibility of ambush, thus protecting the advance of friendly units. "Private Barnes' courage, initiative and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces." Entering the service in November, 1942, Private Barnes has been overseas with headquarters company, 68th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 14th Armored Division since October, 1944. A North High School graduate, he was employed by IBM prior to entering the army. Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin on September 14, 2010