Obituary for Jeanette Barkley
Jeanette Marie Button Barkley died Tuesday, August 30, 2022, of natural causes after a long illness in her home in Battle Creek, Michigan. She is survived by her children: Tony Lee Barkley, Terry Dale Barkley, Dawn Marie Chaffin, and Franklin Ray Barkley.
Jeanette was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 10, 1939, to Ethyl May Hibbert Button (1903-1982) and Cecil Ellsworth Button (1899-1983). Her mother, Ethyl, was an immigrant from Nottinghamshire, England, and her father, Cecil, was a long-time railroad employee for Grand Trunk Railroad Company. She had a brother, William Ardis Button (who died in 2012), and sister, Betty June Button (who died in 1944 at age 20). Jeanette was raised in Battle Creek where she graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1958. It was not long after her graduation that she met the love of her life, Richard Dale Barkley. They were married soon after, on October 10, 1959, and they were together until Richard’s untimely death in 2013.
Jeanette spent her life in service to her children, raising them as a stay-at-home mom. She watched as her children chose the paths of their lives. Tony joined the Army, has worked for many years in manufacturing, and is married to his wife, Vickie Barkley. Terry graduated college with a Master of Arts degree, is a long-time teacher, and is married to Rita Brennan Barkley. Dawn married the love of her life, Michael Chaffin (who died in 2019), and has worked for many years as a receptionist for a veterinarian. Jeanette is also survived by her grandchildren: Tasha and Shawn, by Tony; Terrence, Breandon, Alicia, and Katherine, as well as step-grandchildren Melanie Edlefson, Jeff Lockwood, and Steven Lockwood, by Terry; and step-grandchildren Gary and Jeremy Chaffin (Jeremy died at 21), by Dawn. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren.
Jeanette loved to travel, including camping in Michigan, New York, and even near Washington D.C. during the Bicentennial, as well as watching her favorite soaps and game shows. She gained her most joy visiting with family and friends, bowling in local leagues, and being involved in church functions when she was younger. She was known for her baked beans and Jello salad, which were mainstays at potlucks and family functions.
Services will be held at Springfield Assembly of God and at Fort Custer National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. A reception will follow at Jeanette and Dawn’s home on Minges Road. Please contact Dawn Chaffin for details of all services.
Jeanette was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 10, 1939, to Ethyl May Hibbert Button (1903-1982) and Cecil Ellsworth Button (1899-1983). Her mother, Ethyl, was an immigrant from Nottinghamshire, England, and her father, Cecil, was a long-time railroad employee for Grand Trunk Railroad Company. She had a brother, William Ardis Button (who died in 2012), and sister, Betty June Button (who died in 1944 at age 20). Jeanette was raised in Battle Creek where she graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1958. It was not long after her graduation that she met the love of her life, Richard Dale Barkley. They were married soon after, on October 10, 1959, and they were together until Richard’s untimely death in 2013.
Jeanette spent her life in service to her children, raising them as a stay-at-home mom. She watched as her children chose the paths of their lives. Tony joined the Army, has worked for many years in manufacturing, and is married to his wife, Vickie Barkley. Terry graduated college with a Master of Arts degree, is a long-time teacher, and is married to Rita Brennan Barkley. Dawn married the love of her life, Michael Chaffin (who died in 2019), and has worked for many years as a receptionist for a veterinarian. Jeanette is also survived by her grandchildren: Tasha and Shawn, by Tony; Terrence, Breandon, Alicia, and Katherine, as well as step-grandchildren Melanie Edlefson, Jeff Lockwood, and Steven Lockwood, by Terry; and step-grandchildren Gary and Jeremy Chaffin (Jeremy died at 21), by Dawn. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren.
Jeanette loved to travel, including camping in Michigan, New York, and even near Washington D.C. during the Bicentennial, as well as watching her favorite soaps and game shows. She gained her most joy visiting with family and friends, bowling in local leagues, and being involved in church functions when she was younger. She was known for her baked beans and Jello salad, which were mainstays at potlucks and family functions.
Services will be held at Springfield Assembly of God and at Fort Custer National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. A reception will follow at Jeanette and Dawn’s home on Minges Road. Please contact Dawn Chaffin for details of all services.