Charles O. Barnes, 83, of Van Wert, died at 12:23 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.

He was born Sept. 7, 1928, in Mercer County, Ohio, to the late Lulu Belle (Martin) Barnes Wurster Wilkin and Nathan Edward Barnes. His wife, Ruth A. (Mathews) Barnes, died July 27, 2003. They were married Sept. 11, 1948, in Van Wert County.

Survivors include his children: Edward C. (Cathey) Barnes and Robert L. (Kay) Barnes, both Van Wert; four grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers: Orla and George Barnes; sisters: May Cadwallader, Pearl Ables, Mary Busch, Gertrude Barnes, Gladys Seibert and Betty Smith; a stepgranddaughter, and one great-granddaughter.

He retired in 1991 from Schenkels Dairy after 15 years of service. He had previously worked at Pure Sealed Dairy, Brookside Dairy and Ohio Poultry & Egg Company. He was a member of the former Calvary United Methodist Church, Van Wert, and an honorary member of the Ohio Township Trustees Association.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert. The Rev. Paul Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.