Wayne J. Barnett

Wayne J. Barnett, 79, of Waukesha and formerly of Columbus passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Season’s Hospice and Palliative Care in Waukesha. A visitation for Wayne will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Road, Beaver Dam. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Father Michael Erwin officiating. Interment will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery with graveside military honors conducted by the Beaver Dam American Legion Post #146. Wayne was born on January 3, 1938 the son of John and Vera (Whittingham) Barnett in Doylestown, WI. He was a 1956 graduate of Waupun High School. He then served in the United States Navy for four years. On May 17, 1969, he was married to Betty J. Norenberg at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Beaver Dam. Wayne had a 40 year career working for the Bell System. He began his career as an installer in 1960 at WI Telephone that later became AT & T, and he worked his way up. He retired from Lucent Technologies in 2000 as a field engineer. After his retirement, he worked part time for Avaya. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers. Wayne was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed antiques especially vintage phones, working on his home, gardening and bird watching. Wayne is survived by his wife of 48 years Betty of Waukesha, his son David (Jill) Barnett of Beaver Dam, his daughter Ann (Said) Hatami of California, grandchildren, sister Patricia (Ronald) Bruesch of Waupun, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William and Bernard and sister Rita. Memorial donations may be directed to Parkinson’s Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of one’s choice. The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.