Gene Barnett

January 12, 1933 – October 13, 2026

Gene Barnett, 93, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on October 13, 2026, in Ripon, Wisconsin. He was born January 12, 1933, in Harrisburg, Illinois, to Joseph Otto and Augusta (Wiedemann) Barnett.

A passion for music defined Gene’s life. He played first-chair trombone at Harrisburg High School, graduating in 1950. During a gap year, he served as assistant director of his high school band program. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, in 1955, and a Master of Music Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, in 1964. During his 35-year career as a band director, Gene taught instrumental music in Carbondale, Mill Shoals and Cairo, Illinois; Scott City, Missouri; Decatur, Illinois; and, finally, Midlothian, Illinois.

When not in the classroom, Gene was often found tuning and repairing pianos and was recognized with industry awards for his technical skills and ability to tune by ear. Always eager to share knowledge, he mentored several people in the trade, teaching them the skills that enabled them to build careers of their own in piano tuning and repair. He invented a teaching aid that, when attached to a snare drum, would indicate to the student when a perfect drum roll had been achieved. Gene was a member of his church choir for 50 years and directed it for 10 years, as well as several community bands and orchestras.

Gene also enjoyed construction projects and could often be found tinkering in his workshop. For a time after retiring, he worked as a professional builder, remodeling bathrooms and kitchens and completing other home-improvement projects.

Gene will be fondly remembered for the twinkle in his eye and giggle while delivering the perfect “dad joke.”

Gene is survived by his children, David (Nikki) Barnett, Marsha (Tim) Orwig, and Tonya (Mark) Alling; grandchildren Jordan (Catherine) Barnett, Cameron Barnett, Zachary Peotter, Megan Sonntag, Robert Barnett, Noah Alling, and Wilson Orwig; great-grandson Rhys Barnett; sister-in-law, Jeanne Barnett; and special cousin J.D. Minor, who was like a brother to Gene.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Augusta Wiedemann, siblings Marvin (Edna) Barnett, Rev. Rudolph Barnett and Dorothy (Bob) Williams, the mother of his children, Arlene Schael, second wife Sandra Barnett and his son, Roger Barnett.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11:00 am at Vickery Funeral Chapel in Equality, Illinois with interment to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Equality, Illinois .

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to one of these charities in his memory – United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) - https://umcmission.org/work/humanitarian-relief; or National Association of Music Merchants Foundation - https://nammfoundation.org/.

Divine Passage Funeral Home and Vickery Funeral Chapel are assisting the family during this difficult time.