James Allen “Jim” Barnard

James Allen “Jim” Barnard, 88, of Swansea, IL, passed into the arms of his Jesus on Friday, March 11, 2022.

Jim was born in Chesterton, Indiana, on March 29, 1933, to Ralph Herbert Barnard and Dorothy Alice Hopkins Barnard. He was married to Sandra Lorene Shaw Barnard for 30 years. Originally from Danville, Illinois, Jim served in the United States Air Force, where he was educated in the Air Force School of Weather Forecasting. His most enjoyable and most challenging assignment was serving on the Greenland ice cap, where he lived below ground, forecasting the weather while avoiding polar bears and frostbite.

Jim would say that his greatest achievement in life was being the father to Deborah Sue Barnard Woods (Ron), Diana Lynn Barnard Voitek (Steve), Jeffrey Jay Barnard (Jeanne), and James Andrew Barnard (Alisha). Jim had 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He and Sandy lived most of their lives together as residents of Montpelier, Virginia, where Jim was the owner of Barnard Sales and Engineering, installing and servicing elevators. They were passionate members of Mount Olivet Baptist Church and served there faithfully, going on multiple mission trips worldwide to serve those less fortunate than themselves. Together they relocated to Swansea, Illinois, in 2016, where they made their home next door to Debbie and Ron Woods. Ron became their pastor as they joined Towerview Baptist Church in Shiloh. Jim would quickly tell you that he had trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord when he was just a boy. If he were here, he would challenge you to do the same.

Jim loved deeply and was loved deeply. Few men are more generous than he was. He will be missed until the day we join him in the presence of Jesus.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his:

• Brothers:
  • Bruce Barnard
  • Ralph R. Barnard

Surviving are his:

• Wife
• Children
• Grandchildren
• Great Grandchildren
• Brother, David (Janice) Barnard of Quincy, IL
• Sisters:
  • Mary Goeckner
  • Sara Fetters
  • Nancy Priest

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Towerview Baptist Church or Mosaic Pregnancy Center-Fairview Heights, IL.

Visitations: Visitation from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Friday, March 18, 2022, at Towerview Baptist Church in Belleville, IL.
Visitation from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Beaverdam, VA.

Funerals: Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 pm, Friday, March 18, 2022, at Towerview Baptist Church, with Rev. Ron Woods officiating.
Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Beaverdam, VA. Interment will follow at Mount                     Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery, Beaverdam, VA.