Name: Hunter Barns, 17 years old of Altamont, IL passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday afternoon June 13, 2016 at 2:23 PM at the Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO following an automobile accident.
Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday morning, June 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the Altamont Community High School gymnasium in Altamont with the Rev. Marek Kasperczuk officiating.
Visitation for family and friends will be conducted from 4:00-8:00 pm on Friday June 17, 2016
at the Altamont Community High School gymnasium.
Catholic and Military Burial Rites will be at the St. Clare Cemetery in Altamont immediately following the funeral service. VFW # Post 7676 and American Legion Post #512 will be providing the color guard and firing squad.
Hunter John Michael Barns was born into the family of Michael and Michelle (Wernsing) Barns in Effingham on July 27, 1998, he was the eldest of two siblings. He was baptized in the Catholic faith at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church in Effingham, IL. He was a member of St. Clare Parish in Altamont, where he confirmed his faith.
Hunter was a 2016 graduate of Altamont Community High School, where he participated in soccer, cross country and track & field. He was an animal lover and avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked spending time at the Wernsing family farm with his bird dog, Maggie. Hunter was a friend to many, and held very special characteristics that others easily looked up to. He was a great role model, as his younger cousins looked to him as a superhero.
His lifelong dream was to join the US Military because of his strong devotion to his family and country. Hunter enlisted in the United States Army—National Guard on August 11, 2015 and faithfully attended monthly duty while attending high school. E-2 Barns was to report for his Basic and AIT training on June 15, 2016. He was currently serving with Lima Company RSP in Mattoon attached to Bravo Company 2nd 130th Infantry in Effingham.
Hunter’s final opportunity to serve others was his gift of organ donation.
Memorials may be directed to the Altamont Sports Boosters, Ballard Nature Center or the choice of the Donor.
He is survived by His:
Parents: Michael John and Michelle Lynn (Wernsing) Barns Altamont, Illinois
Sister: Miss Hannah Danyel Barns
Grandparents: Lawrence and Kay ( Blom) Barns Altamont, Illinois
Gerald and Jeane (Schlanser) Wernsing Shumway, Illinois
Special Friend: Miss Bailie Raelyn Duckwitz St. Elmo, Illinois
Uncles & Aunts: Sarah (Rick) Casavechia Chicago, Illinois
Katie (Jon) Berg Altamont, Illinois
Neil “Boomer” (Bailey Lustig) Barns Effingham, Illinois
Mrs. Jonathan (Janice) Wernsing Shumway, Illinois
Several other Relatives, Cousins, Great Aunts and Uncles
He was preceded in death by His: Uncle Jonathan Wernsing and Aunt Danyel Wernsing
Online condolences may be expressed at www.kullfuneralhome.com
This obituary and photo has been released for publication by the family of Hunter Barns
as designated in the e-mail. Thank you for your assistance. Lynn A. Kull 618-483-6323 kullfuneralhome@mediacombb.net