Glenn Richard Barnett

Glenn Richard Barnett, age 83, passed away peacefully in his home in Dakota Dunes, SD, on November 21, 2025, surrounded by his family. A graveside service with militay honors will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. at Omaha National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

He was born on September 21, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, to Irving and Jeanne (Karchemsky) Barnett. He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in 1955. Throughout his high school and college years at NYU, he participated in the ROTC program and began his Air Force career as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1969, he met his wife, Sharon Carr, while they were both serving in the military. They married later that year and went on to have six children, raising their family in a variety of locations across the United States and Japan. After 21 years as a U.S. Air Force navigator, he retired in 1985 as Major Glenn Barnett.

After retirement, Glenn settled in Moville, IA. He spent these years driving the school bus for Woodbury Central and volunteering for a variety of organizations throughout Moville and Sioux City. He especially enjoyed giving tours of the Sergeant Floyd River Museum, judging Destination Imagination competitions, and preparing taxes for seniors.

Glenn was the ultimate extrovert. He never met a stranger and loved telling stories filled with his passion for aviation, world travel, and family. He approached life’s ups and downs with humor and generosity, often chiming in with a well-timed one-liner and responding to every “thank you” with “you bet.”

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Jeanne Barnett. He is survived by his wife, Sharon (Carr) Barnett; and his six children: Karen (Michael) Avila, Allie (Steve) VanOtterloo, Sarah (Gregg) Wikstrom, Lori Barnett, Adam (Anastasia) Barnett, and Eliza (Andrew) Crim; his 15 grandchildren: Gabriella Avila, Victor Avila, Liz Wirth, Arica Avila, Blake (Erin) Nettleton, Chloe (Caleb) Corbin, Loryn (Jacob) Nettleton, Kevin VanOtterloo, Hunter Wikstrom, Kaci Wikstrom, Angelo LeBaron Avila, Elizabeth (Jordyn) Struve, Trey Barnett, Nehemiah Barnett, and Ezekiel Barnett; and his three great-grandchildren: Miles Smith, Madden Nettleton, and Prudence Murdy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Midwest Honor Flight in memory of Major Glenn Barnett.