Michael E. Barnett

Michael E. Barnett, 78, Warsaw, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.

Mike was born June 20, 1944, in Muncie, the son of (the late) Glenn M. and Ruth (Leifheit) Barnett. Mike served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era and went on to work as a firefighter at Wright Patterson AFB until 1970 when he left to become an Indiana State Police trooper.

On July 8, 1984, he married Myra (Wideman) Barnett in Warsaw. Mike remained associated with the State Police until his retirement in 2004. He had also formerly served as Kosciusko County Veteran’s Service Officer for an eight-year term. In 1992, Mike and his wife established Barnett Bail Bonds in Warsaw.

He attended Warsaw Community Church and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 49, Warsaw Lodge No. 73, F. & A.M. and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Fort Wayne. Mike was known as a kind and gentle person who was devoted to his family and friends; he liked fishing and caring for his Yorkies. He was an avid fan of IU basketball and also Notre Dame football, where he enjoyed his volunteer work as a usher at Notre Dame Stadium.

Mike is survived by Myra Barnett, his wife of 38 years; son, Tyson (Tina) Barnett, Warsaw; grandchildren, Lauren (Michael) Wilson, Kendall Rodgers and Taylor Rodgers, all of Warsaw; and his great-grandchildren, Liam Wilson, Livian Wilson, Francesca Delion and Remme Rodgers.

In addition to his parents and his siblings, Mike was also preceded in death by a son, Jason Rodgers.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at McHatton Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, with Pastor Jamy Gregory officiating. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in the funeral home. Burial will be held in Mentone Cemetery with military honors.

The family’s preferred memorial in the Wounded Warrior Project, online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or by mail to P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.

To share a remembrance of Mike or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.