Cecilia Anne Barnes

Friday, October 18, 2019 Cecilia Anne (Shoenberger) Barnes, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family.

Cecilia was born on July 9, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois to Andrew and Rose Schoenberger. She grew up on Bradley Place near Wrigley Field in Chicago until she was about 10 and was a diehard Cubs fan.  Her family also lived on Lake Shangri-La in Wisconsin.

She met her Husband Willie Barnes Jr. when they both were working at Helene Curtis.  Following a visit to Michigan in 1972, she fell in love with the area and soon after they moved to Grand Junction where they raised their 6 children. She was very active in her children’s lives and often helped with the youth groups they were involved in.  Also, she was a long-time member of the Grand Junction Congregational Church. 

Cecelia held many different jobs over the years from working at the University of Chicago, South Haven Hospital and Office Manager at the South Haven Tribune.  She was a cancer survivor and no matter what she worked hard and kept a positive attitude throughout her health ups and downs.  She loved gardening and looked forward to canning what she wasn’t cooking – she was an awesome cook.  Above all she loved her family and was a very loving and giving homemaker.  Often, she’d have everyone over to eat one of her great homemade meals with her Sunday pies and maybe play a game of poker too. She loved a good murder mystery, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, she was extremely intelligent and often would beat the contestant with answers.

She played the piano and shared many songs with her kids at home and as they traveled down the roads over years.  As the family grew she was the kind of Grandmother everyone would love to have.  She was active in their lives and helped raise them all – She was their Grandma, GMA and GGMA to the Great Grand Children. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Willie in 2008.  She is survived by her brothers, Paul Schoenberger, Richard Schoenberger, Mike Schoenberger and John (Sharon) Schoenberger. Her children William (Helene) Barnes, Diella (Steve) Ellis, Lisa (Elias) Barnes-Lopez, Pam (Lonzey) Taylor, Mark (Amy) Barnes, Richard (Marissa) Barnes. Grandchildren, Brett (Amanda) Barnes, Marc (Jessica) Barnes, Dominique (Rob) Clement, Nathan Mielke, Alexander Barnes, Angelica Lopez, Raeven Barnes, Matthew Lopez, Devin Barnes, Conner Barnes, Ethan Barnes, Ava Barnes, Urijah Barnes, Ramon (Ashley) Taylor.  And Great Grand Children, Jaden, Mackenzie, Ceanna, Nolan, Anthony and Keagan.  Special daughters Crystal and Felicia (Cora).  Several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

She was an angel on earth, a hero to all and will be truly missed.

A wake will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 PM at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home.  Memorial services will follow at 2:00 PM at the funeral home with Mother Carol Black officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Al-Van Humane Society at P.O Box 421, South Haven, MI 49090; Grace Hospice at 3355 Eagle Park Dr. NE Suite 102, Grand Rapids, MI 49525; or New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 558 58th Street, Pullman, MI 49450.