Kenneth Silas Barnes, of Levittown, died on Aug. 15, 2003 at New Island Hospital. He was 85. Beloved husband of Madaline A. Hime. Loving father of Jolee Zola of Cambridge, MA, Jane Victor of Pittsburg, KS, and Amy Fowler of Renton, WA. Devoted uncle of Penny Ferone of Whitestone, NY. Devoted grandfather of Allison Nephew and Clarissa Victor. Also survived by three great-grandchildren and a great-grandnephew and great-grandniece.

Mr. Barnes was born in Belvidere, NJ, and spent his youth in Ames, NY. He served in the US Air Force during WWII, participating in bombing missions over Germany and France for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross among other honors. He also served in India. After the war, he acquired his masters in library sciences at Columbia University on the GI Bill of Rights.

He and his family moved to Levittown in 1953 to accept a job as director of the Hicksville Public Library, where he worked until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of the American Library Association and the NY Library Association. He loved books, jazz and animals. He was proud of having devoted his life to public service.

Arrangements were made by the Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, Cloversville, NY (518-725-5917). Memorial services will be held on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Fonda, NY. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association or to benefit libraries.