Albert J. Barnes

Albert J. Barnes

Al died May 5, 2017 at the age of 92. He attended Greathouse Elem., Barrett Jr. High, and Male High School in Louisville, Ky. In 1942 he won a scholarship to Purdue U, and at 17 was able to join the Navy V-12 Program, finishing his BS in Chemical Engineering. He went on to Midshipman School at Notre Dame, earning an Ensign Commission. Al’s WW2 duty was on Guam in charge of the island directory and mail delivery, as Ensign Jr. Grade, and eventually being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. In 1946, Al returned to Purdue and earned a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. He went to work for Eli Lilly & Co in the Organic Chemical Division, retiring as head of the department.

He is survived by his wife, Cleonice of 71 years, and their 2 sons Steven and Gary, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was active in Indian Guides, Boy Scouts, and coaching. Al began music at age 6 with the Christ Church Episcopal Boys’ Choir. At Purdue he sang with the Glee Club and was the Tenor soloist in the “Seven Last Words.” Al played trumpet in the Male HS marching band and then played French horn in the Purdue Concert Orchestra. While at Eli Lilly, he joined the Men’s Chorus, and also sang with the Northminister Presbyterian Church choir for over 50 years.

Al was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, The American Chemical Society, The Purdue Alumni Association, The Eli Lilly Toastmaster Club, The Riviera Club, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Northside Bridge Center. Learning the game of bridge at Purdue, he became an avid player and achieved the rank of Life Master, and then Silver Life Master. He was named “Player of the Year” at the Indianapolis Bridge Center in 2011. Al and Cleonice traveled extensively throughout all 50 states, and nearly 300 countries. At Northminister, Al was a Sunday school teacher, a Deacon, and an Elder. He also delivered Meals on Wheels for 25 years.

The Celebration of Al’s Life is June 2 @ 10:00 @ Marquette, 8140 Township Line Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marquette Manor Foundation, attn. Michael McGinley. Arrangements handled by Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple.