Gary L. Barnes of Wayland, Michigan, age 53, passed away on October 25, 2021. He was born to Roger and Florence(Ziombkowski) Barnes on March 16, 1968 in Grand Rapids, MI.


Gary was the firstborn of three children, followed by sisters Ginger and Cheryl. Gary was a 1986 graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School. Gary worked for the family masonry business during and after high school. After having his own masonry business for several years, he returned to his first love of turning wrenches and worked as a mechanic with childhood friend Jeff Bileth. He eventually opened his own shop in the Gun Lake area and did what he loved, fixing cars and boats and talking about his faith.


Gary was married to Melissa(VanderGalien) Barnes on May 1, 1993. Together they have three children, Joseph, Katelyn and Andrew. Gary loved all things outdoors and spent many enjoyable hours hunting, fishing and enjoying nature. For several years, Gary was an active member of Gun Lake Community Church and a ministry called Evangelism Explosion. It was here that he developed his ability to share the gospel in a real and compelling way and touched the lives of many people. He continued to share his faith and talk about God's word and saving grace with friends and customers alike more and more often in the last few years.


Gary is survived by his wife of twenty eight years Melissa, children Joseph(Jaime), Katelyn(Spencer), and Andrew; parents Roger and Florence Barnes, sister Ginger(Michael) Batson and children Matthew(Haley) and Mark(Autumn); sister Cheryl (Christopher) Rush and children Arrika and Alexa; aunt and uncle Phil and Shirley Presler; and aunt Jeanne Barnes and children Tommy and Brian and their families. Gary was preceded in death by grandparents Cloyd and Delores Barnes and uncle Thomas Barnes.

Gary was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009. The disease took a heavy toll on his body, with several lower limb amputations, diabetic retinopathy, congestive heart failure and finally kidney failure. He experienced a small stroke and then a heart attack within the last two months which led up to his final hospital stay. Dialysis was started, but it was during a procedure to replace a temporary port in his neck with a more permanent one so that he could be discharged and continue outpatient dialysis, that his heart beat for the last time. The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and healthcare providers that participated in Gary's care over the past four years. He would not have been with us as long as he had without all of you.

It was Gary's wish to be cremated. It was also Gary's wish to not have a formal funeral service.

A small, private, memorial gathering with immediate family and close friends will be held at a future date.

And lastly, it was Gary's deepest desire for all of us to develop a real and redeeming relationship with Jesus Christ so that we may all be reunited in heaven when it is our time to leave this earth. Peace to you. Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Gary Barnes March 16, 1968 - October 25, 2021 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book