Bernice M Barnes

Bernice May Barnes, daughter of Joseph Arthur Vincent and Dorothy May Shriver Vincent, was born at her parents’ home in Churdan, Iowa, on December 17, 1928, and passed away on Monday, May 04, 2026, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital, at the age of 97 years, 4 months, and 17 days old.

She was baptized at the Churdan Baptist Church. She graduated from Churdan High School and went on to receive her teaching credentials from Iowa State Teachers College.

Bernice returned to Churdan and taught fifth grade for three years. She married Harold Thomas Barnes on June 25, 1950, at the Baptist Church in Churdan. Four children were born to this union: Jacquelyn, Dwight, Stewart, and Lynnette.

After their marriage, the couple farmed with Tom’s father for several years until they moved to Davenport, where he attended Palmer College of Chiropractic. After his graduation, they moved to Audubon in July. Bernice became active with a number of groups, including the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and participated in many church activities.

She and Tom were both active with the Band Boosters and were avid followers of Wheeler sports, particularly football.

Bernice was active with Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, serving on several statewide advisory committees and as a local group leader.

Bernice was also the longtime secretary of the women’s bowling league in Audubon and served for many years as the secretary of the International Chiropractic Women’s Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold T. Barnes; her parents, Arthur and Dorothy Vincent; and her in-laws, Emery and Clara Barnes.

She is survived by her brother, Harold Vincent (Ida) of Scottsdale, Arizona; and her children: Jackie King of Prescott, Arkansas; Dwight Barnes (Nancy) of Iowa City; Stewart Barnes (Trish) of Des Moines; and Lynnette Irlmeier (Bill) of Audubon.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, IA, with Rev. Sheryl Puderbaugh officiating, followed by interment at Maple Grove Cemetery. A luncheon will be held in the Church's Fellowship Hall following the interment.

Visitation with the family will be held one hour before the funeral at the church on Monday.

Memorials may be directed to the Barnes Family. They will be designated at a later date in her memory, and they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon, IA.