Cecil E. Barnard

Cecil E. Barnard, 88, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at his home. He was born September 16, 1922 in Oskaloosa, the son of Earl W. and Grace G. Marshall Barnard. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1941. Cecil was an Army Air Corps veteran of WWII.

He was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a freight carman for 40 years before retiring in 1984. He was a founding member of the Oakland Church of the Nazarene and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Union.

Cecil married Dorothy J. Hasting on September 17, 1950 in Topeka. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1993. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Bessie and his brother, Wayne. Survivors include two sons, Ralph Barnard of Topeka, Stephen Barnard of Centerville, VA, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and his brother, Eugene of Florida.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery where military honors will be presented by a burial detail from Fort Riley, KS. Cecil will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Oakland Church of the Nazarene, 939 NE Oakland Ave., Topeka, KS 66616.