Alice Elizabeth Barnett

Alice Elizabeth Barnett, of Bourbonnais, IL, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at The Grove Assisted Living, Bourbonnais. She was born on July 25, 1934, in Vienna, IL the first-born daughter of Harry T. and Delia (Hudgens) Bridges. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of her 11:30 a.m. funeral service at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, IL. Interment will be held at 1:30 PM at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Uplifted Care, Bourbonnais. This is a joint visitation, funeral service, and interment with her husband, Billy Ray Barnett. Alice attended schools in southern Illinois and graduated from Goreville Township High School in May of 1952 where she had excelled on the girls’ basketball team. Shortly after high school, Alice moved north to Kankakee, Illinois where she began working at the Kankakee State Hospital (now known as Shapiro Center) and lived in the staff cottages, on grounds, as employees did in those days. Alice worked at the State Hospital until her first son, Michael, was born in 1956 and she stayed at home with her boys, Timothy joined them in 1959, until they were in school. Then she started working as a teacher’s aide at both Washington and Taft grade schools in Kankakee. During her children’s school years, Alice also was an active parent, volunteering many hours at school as a room mother and a classroom helper. Alice returned to working in the business office at the State Hospital in 1968 where over the next two decades, she was known for being an honest hard worker with an excellent work ethic. In the early 1990’s, Alice transferred from Shapiro Center to the Manteno Illinois Veterans Home business office where she completed her 30+ year career and retired in 1999. Alice married her sweetheart Bill Ray Barnett, on October 8, 1954, at Trinity Methodist Church in Kankakee, IL. They had just achieved their 71st anniversary on October 8. In later years, as each anniversary arrived, Alice would always claim that it was a long time to be married, and Bill would laughingly agree. Together, Alice and Bill were a team going through life and raising two sons, Michael and Timothy. Their early travels led them to various baseball fields where Bill coached, and the boys played. In later years, they traveled with friends – whether they flew or cruised and enjoyed the many trips they took together. They bowled in mixed doubles bowling leagues at both Dandelles and Gala Lane in the 1960’s and 70’s. They also played cards together with friends for many years; Alice loved playing 6 handed Euchre and she continued playing until her illness made it impossible. Alice is survived by her two sons, Michael (Mary) Barnett, and Timothy (Josie) Barnett all of Bourbonnais; three grandchildren, Kevin (Sarah) Barnett of St. Joseph, IL, Gabby (Zach) Hoyle of Eldridge, Iowa, and Olivia (Michael) Clemens of Bourbonnais. Alice was excited to become a great grandmother. She sure loved her first great granddaughter, Aubrielle (lovingly called Sweet Pea by Alice), born this year to Olivia and Michael. And she has another great grandchild, Aubrielle’s sister, due in 2026. She is also survived by her brother, Allen (Barbara) Bridges from Arizona, and numerous first cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill (passed 10/13/2025); her parents; an infant sibling; her sister, Judith (Bridges) Mitchell; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family of Alice and Bill are grateful to both The Grove Assisted Living and Uplifted Care for their compassion and care over the past few months.

Alice Elizabeth Barnett

July 25, 1934 - October 28, 2025