Roger Lynn Barnett, 66, passed away on June 10, 2026, in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was born on July 23, 1959 in Illmo (Scott City), Missouri, to Gene and Arlene Barnett.
Roger graduated from Pine Ridge School in Williston, Vermont. He was skilled at many occupations including auto sales, welding, farming, janitorial services, shrimping on the gulf coast of Alabama and many jobs in between. In 1994, he lived through a horrific car accident which kept him hospitalized for five months. Doctors told him he would never walk again. Not only did Roger learn to walk, but he also went on to work for another 20 years before his injuries forced him into retirement.
One of Roger’s defining characteristics was a love for nature and animals. Throughout his 66 years, he raised chickens and pigs, had a pet salamander, iguana, piranhas, snakes (to name just a few), and many beloved dogs, especially Shadow and Penny. He was a past member of the Eagles Club in McLeansboro.
Roger is survived by his son, Robert Barnett, and Robert’s mother, Connie Timmer; father, Gene Barnett; siblings David (Nikki) Barnett; Marsha (Tim) Orwig; and Tonya (Mark) Alling; nephews Jordan (Catherine) Barnett; Cameron Barnett; Wilson Orwig; Zachary Peotter, and Noah Alling; niece, Megan Sonntag; and great-nephew, Rhys Barnett. Roger is also survived by his aunt Jeanne Barnett, many cousins and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Lillie Russ, McLeansboro, Illinois and Otto and Augusta Barnett, Harrisburg, Illinois; mother, Arlene Russ (Henry) Schael; aunts and uncles, Martha (Walter) Drogemuller, Hazel (Gene) Clark, Joe (Barbara) Russ; Velma (Richard) Reichenbach, Marvin (Edna) Barnett, Rudolph Barnett, and Dorothy (Bob) Wiliams.
A celebration of Roger’s life will be held on Sunday, September 6th at 2:45 pm at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, Illinois with a graveside service at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, west of McLeansboro at 3:30 pm. Family and friends will gather at the Union Hall, 109 W. Market St., McLeansboro for a meal afterwards.
The family is being served by Harre Funeral Home, 310 West Randolph Street, McLeansboro, Illinois 62859.
