BETTENDORF — Ralph Barnett, 97, of Bettendorf, passed away quietly on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at his home. Services in celebration of his life will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at Weerts Funeral Home, Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Pine Lake Camp, Eldora, Iowa.

Mr. Barnett was born March 28, 1919, in Eldon, Iowa, to Anna Mae (Norris) and William Harl Barnett. He was one of 12 children. He lived many years in Trenton, Missouri. He learned to work at an early age. He graduated from Trenton High School and from Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Peoria. He married Mary Frances Peacher on June 16, 1944, in Brookfield, Missouri. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 1, 2011. They loved to listen to Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. He worked for Bendix, later Litton, making altimeters for rockets. He also worked for Walkers Jewelry, Rice and Kraft Jewelers doing watch and jewelry repair. His retirement hobby was making wood toys and model planes from beautiful hardwoods. He truly was a master craftsman with his woodworking.

Survivors include his four children, Randal (Lynne) Barnett and Sherry (Joe) Smahaj, all of Lowden, Iowa, Jim Barnett of Davenport, and Shirley (Jerry) Strohm of Eldridge; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Elmer (Margaret) Barnett of Breckenridge, Missouri; sisters Naomi (Raymond) Scott and Ethel (Harold) Booth, all of Trenton, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and four brothers and four sisters.

He was blessed to have a very special friend and caregiver. A very special thank you to the Hospass Compasses team. They are amazing for comfort, care, and support.

From FAG contributor: Ken Nagel