Stephen Leonard Barnes

Dr. Stephen Leonard Barnes, age 80, of Springfield passed away on August 21st, 2025. He was born to Leonard and Joyce Barnes. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patty Weidauer Barnes; daughter Tricia (Darin Drew); son Christopher (Ben); grandchildren Gavin, Blain, Kegin, and Emma; brother Mark; sisters Janet and Anne; and beloved family and friends. Dr. Barnes was a teacher and mentor to many treasured students. He revelled in his 20-year dalliance with community theatre, being especially grateful for the marvelous opportunities to become Capt. Hook, Henry Higgins, and King Arthur. He also narrated the OLT/ Kuss Christmas Pageant for 20 years. Dr. Barnes thanks God for his life and his Lord for its meaning. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son: Samuel.

In Stephen’s own words, he described his life experience in a way that only Stephen could:

Beknighted to knighted, bemused to amused, he became a disabused sesquipedalian, intellectual pilgrim, and astute student of poly syllabic puffery, polygon prolixity, pretentious pedantic perorations and picayune preciosity, perforce or perhaps ponderously promulgated, perfusey posing and/or perniciously purveyed (per ora, pixelated, and/or palpably and pulpably published), then purportedly and pervasively proffered (but not preferred) as putatively plausible problematicity.

Observers often noted how small children and animals liked and trusted Steve. Nothing more needs to be said.

No formal observances are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Animal Welfare League of Clark County.