Neele Barner

Neele Barner, 70, of Kalamazoo, died Thursday, January 2, 2014 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born March 12, 1943 to Pierce W. and Elizabeth (Kuhn) Barner in South Haven, Michigan.  Neele was a 1961 graduate of South Haven High School. Neele served his country in the United States Army during the Veitnam War.  He was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Neele was a farmer and also worked for many years as an meat cutter at Hardings, D & W and then Village Market before retiring in 2005. He enjoyed his family, fishing and golfing.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by his wives – Carolyn (Filbrandt) Barner who passed in 1991 and Sharon (Acerra) Barner who passed in 2013.

Neele is survived by his son – Gary Barner of South Haven and his step daughter, Heather Martell of Kalamazoo; seven grand children – Grace Barner, Andrew Barner,  Elizabeth Valle, Anthony Martell, Mercedes Martell, Alexandria Martell and Frank Martell; sister – Cheryl (Jerry) Redman of Ortonville, MI;  three brother-in-laws  -  Carl (Donna) Filbrandt, Roger (Kathy) Acerra and Larry (Karen) Acerra; four nieces – Stacey (Matthew) Jacyno, Carey (Christopher) Grimm, Annette (Matt) Ayotte and Cari (Ray) Copi. Great nieces – Emily Jacyno and Katie Grimm and great nephew – Josh Grimm.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 9, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven. Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 10, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Stephen Daley officiating. Neele will be laid to rest at Chambers Cemetery in Geneva Township. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church or School. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, 637-0333.