Kenneth V. Barnum age 88 of St. Louis, Michigan died Thursday, February 9, 2006 at Gratiot Medical Center Alma, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Twin Cities Seventh Day Adventist Alma, MI on Monday, February 13, 2006 at 11:00 AM. Pastor James Micheff and Pastor Ken Micheff will officiate with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery St. Louis, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2006 from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel.
Kenneth was born in St. Louis, Michigan on September 8, 1917 the son of Vincent and Hazel ( Sias ) Barnum. He was a life long resident of St. Louis, Michigan and attended St. Louis Schools. Kenneth married Madeline Adams in Mt. Pleasant on March 27, 1941. Kenneth first started working for the city on October 1, 1934 helping in the office and reading electric and water meters, while his father Lee M. Barnum was serving as city clerk. For more than 50 years Kenneth held the titles of city clerk, city treasure, interm city manager, city councilman and mayor pro-tem. In 1946 he successfully sought the city treasurer position which he held until 1949. It was then he was appointed city clerk along with the treasurer duties. The council decided the dual job was not compatible so he resigned as treasurer. 1975 Kenneth was appointed interim city manager for 2 years to fill a vacancy left by the death of Bill Dennis. In 1977, Kenneth retried after Augustine DuPont was hired as city manager. In 1981 Kenneth ran for a seat on the city council and served for two, four year terms. His term expired December 31, 1989 bringing to an end a long term career with the city. He loved woodworking, and was a very devoted and active church member at Twin Cities Seventh Day Adventist Church.
He is survived by 3 children; Ken & Dianne Barnum Jr. of Eau Clair, MI, JoAnn Cortez of Merced, CA, Mary & Tim Goffnett of Alma, MI, 7 grandchildren; Robert Barnum, Sheila Gair, Randy & Tammy Barnum, Michelle & Richard Brooks, Mickey Cortez, Tim & Jen Goffnett, Karrie Goffnett, 12 great grandchildren, sister Doris Cronkite of Breckenridge, MI, and brother Dale Barnum of St. Louis, MI. He was predeceased by his parents, and 2 brothers.
Memorials may be made to 3ABN. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel.
Read Kenneth Barnum's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.