Roger W. Barnum

Roger W. Barnum, age 76, of Fenton, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023. Family and friends will gather at 10am until the Memorial Service at 1pm on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Hill Creek Church of God, 5363 Hill Road in Swartz Creek. A second day of gathering will take place at 11am until the second Memorial Service at 1pm on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Sebewa Church of God, 12910 Goddard Road in Lake Odessa. Roger will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Sharp Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences can be shared at www.sharpfunealhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the family to assist with funeral expenses and with the remainder being divided between the two hosting churches and Hospice.

Roger was born on December 29, 1946, in Lake Odessa to the late Victor & Thelma Barnum. He graduated from Lakewood High School class of 1965. From the young age of 16 he worked with cars. He owned and operated Mid-Michigan Wholesale Auto Parts for over 27 years before retiring in 2003. It wasn't too far in his retirement before he started work at Menard's; he worked part time for 10 years. Roger enjoyed his many flower and vegetable gardens and kept a meticulous lawn. In addition to yard work, he enjoyed keeping the birds fed and watching them gather. He hunted and fished; but fishing was near and dear to his heart as it was what he enjoyed most with his family. Roger will be missed dearly by his family and so many close friends who became family throughout the many years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn; his five children, Angel Barnum, Joy (Chris) Smith, William Barnum, Stephen (Jessica) Barnum, and Amy (Bob) Versluis; thirteen grandchildren, Christal (Cody) Presson, Alexxus (Michael) Sandula, Cheyenne (Mike) Smith, Evelyn Ricketts-Barnum, Brandon Barnum, Elizabeth Barnum, Dianthia Barnum, Kirtlan Barnum, Kaitlin Barnum, Alex (Lena) Ironside, Ethan Ironside and Connor Ironside, Erin Livingston, and 10 great grandkids. Roger is further survived by his sister, Donna Barnum-Jackson and niece, Dee Anna (Ray) Reed. Roger and Evelyn had the opportunity to house their foreign exchange daughters, who also survive, Yuka Sakamoto, Juliannna Capitiano and Tatianna Capitiano.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Victor (Thelma) Barnum; sister Wanda Barnum; in laws, Rev. I.C. Jr. (Lorraine) Peters, foreign exchange daughter, Kiyoka Sakamoto, and son in law Mike Addison.

He chose to give his heart and home to many people over the years. The lives he touched are too numerous to list. Thank you for choosing us Daddy, best decision we ever made.