Anson E. Barnes, 88

Anson E. Barnes, 88, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Feb. 1, 2025. He was born in Kalispell on April 2, 1936, to Alan and Vivian Barnes, of Whitefish.

His father passed away when he was a young child. His mother then took him back to the Fredenburg family farm where she raised Anson and helped raise her youngest siblings. He always joked that he was a 17th Fredenburg. He also continued to maintain a close relationship with his brothers Ron and Bob of the Barnes family of Whitefish.

Anton joined the Navy in 1954 and served on the USS Missouri. He was then stationed in Sasebo, Japan. He was on active duty for three years and upon his return home he met Sally Stapley, the love of his life. He married her in January of 1958 and spent 52 years together until she passed in 2010.

Anson was a member of the Masonic Lodge from 1973 until the time of his passing and a member of the Eastern Star.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his wife, two sons, baby Barnes and Lorraine Anson Barnes, his two brothers, Bob and Ron Barnes and numerous extended family. 

He is survived by a son, Windell (Nona) Barnes and their family of Clinton, Montana, and Harley (Tanya) Barnes and their family of Columbia Falls. 

A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22, at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. Graveside services will be held at a later date. 

Friends are encouraged to visit the website wwwbuffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.