Mr. Geo. Kenneth “Ken” Barney, age 90 years, died unexpectedly Thursday morning, July 23, 2009, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility with his loving family at his side. A native and longtime resident of Swanton, Ken resided in the Rice Hill area of Highgate for the past 30 years.

    Born in Swanton on June 18, 1919, he was the son of the late Charles Rufus and Ina (Morse) Barney and was a 1937 graduate of Swanton High School. He was a farmer for many years owning and operating the Arthur Stearns farm formerly located on the Monument Road in Swanton Town. Ken later retired from the Swanton Village Electric Department after many years of service.

    He will be remembered by many as a great historian especially enjoying family genealogy as well as local history and was a co-writer of the 1988 Swanton History Book. Ken was also a member of the Vermont Folklore and Swanton Historical Societies. In earlier years having his own maple sugar operation he also belonged to the Vermont Maple Sugar Producers Association and looked forward yearly to attending the Eastern States Exposition.

    Ken was a great cook and looked forward to weekly visits from family and friends with his homemade cakes and pies as well as his specialty baked beans waiting in the kitchen. He was an avid reader, and Boston Red Sox Fan, loved his home which he built on Rice Hill, and was always proud of his vegetable gardens.

    He leaves two daughters, Darla Blondo and her husband, David, of Swanton, and Cheryl Messier of Highgate Springs; two sons, Vance Barney and his wife, Margaret, of Swanton, and Rand Barney of Highgate Springs; their mother and good friend, Marian Rich Barney, of Swanton; his daughter-in-law, Marilyn Barney of Swanton; 14 grandchildren: Charles B. Barney of Honolulu, Hawaii, Rebecca Barney of Barton, Elizabeth Bessette and husband, Scott, of Highgate, Armanda Bouchard and husband, Edward, of Franklin, Leslie Slavinsky and husband, Joseph, of Collierville, Tenn., Armand Barney Messier and wife, Gianna, of Swanton, Kevin Barney of Georgia, Karen Nye of Richmond, Joseph Barney and wife, Penny, of Sheldon, Jeffrey Barney and wife, Andrea, of Isle La Motte, Jason Barney of Burlington, Joshua Barney and wife, Jennifer, of Monkton, Jessica Barney of Racine, Wis., and Deborah Perez and husband, Al, of Texas; and 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Richard Barney and his wife, Sheila, of Marietta, Ga.; two step-sisters, Doris Underwood and Elaine Begnoche, both of St. Albans; one step-brother, George Lace and his wife, Elaine, of Georgia Shore; as well as several nieces and nephews.

    Besides his parents, Ken was predeceased by his stepmother, Lillian Lace Barney in 1979; a son, Kermit Barney in 2003; and a son-in-law, Armand R. Messier in 2004.

    A Private Family Funeral Service was held Sunday, July 26, 2009, at 2 p.m. from The Kidder Memorial Home. Father Thomas D. Nadeau, pastor of Nativity / St. Louis Parish officiated. A guard of honor was formed by members of the American Legion, Green Mountain Post 1 of St. Albans. Special Music was provided by Ken’s grandson, Armand Messier on the piano, and his wife Gianna playing the violin. Special Words of Remembrance were shared by granddaughter, Armanda Barney Messier Bouchard and Jason Barney. Also offering words of remembrance was Judge Ronald Kilburn President of the Swanton Historical Society.

    Among the delegations in attendance were representatives from the Swanton Historical Society, Swanton Public Library, Swanton Town and Village Offices, Vermont Old Time Cemetery Association and Vermont Folklore Society. 

    The Rite of Committal and Interment followed at the Barney family lot in Riverside Cemetery with Father Nadeau reading the committal prayers. The bearers were grandsons: Joseph, Jeffery, Jason and Joshua Barney, Armand Barney Messier, Edward Bouchard, Scott Bessette and great grandson, J.J. Slavinsky. Full Military honors were accorded the deceased by members Vermont Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. Officer in Charge was 1st SG Daniel Landry. Members of the Firing Party were SGT Richard Murray, SPC Anthony Pasquale, PFC John Holt and PFC Timothy Trombley. The American flag, which draped the United States Army and World War II veteran’s casket, was folded by PFC Holt and PFC Trombley and presented to Ken’s son Rand by 1st SG Landry Taps were sounded by SPC Bernard Bailey. Following The Prayers of Committal and Military Services a luncheon followed at the home of Ken’s daughter Cheryl Messier hosted by family friends, Penny Laflam and Christy Lynch.

    The family requests that gifts in Ken’s memory be made to the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans 05478; or to the Swanton Historical Society, 58 South River Street, P.O. Box 235, Swanton 05488.

    Ken’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Northwestern Medical Center as well as the doctors and staff of Fletcher Allen health Care for their care and concern.   

    To offer private online condolences please visit: www.kiddermemorialhome.com.