Ethel M Barnes, 98, of Oswego NY passed away Wednesday, June 10 2020 at St Luke's Health Care Center in Oswego.  She was born on December 26 1921 in Baldwinsville, NY.

She was the daughter of Lawrence and Ruth Reinhardt. Preceding her in death were her parents and eight siblings:  Clifford Reinhardt, Mildred Dent, Dorothy Shute, Robert Reinhardt, Richard Reinhardt, Donald Reinhardt, Edward Reinhardt, and Frances Snogles.  She had many nieces and nephews, and will be remembered as a kind and generous Aunt.

Ethel was married in 1939 to Frederick Barnes, who died in 1980.  Her son, Robert Barnes, was born in 1946.  He died in action in 1967 in the Vietnam War, and she was a Gold Star Mother. American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., is a private nonprofit organization of American mothers who lost sons or daughters in service of the United States Armed Forces.  She proudly displayed her Gold Star Mother license plate, rode in the annual Cato Meridian Memorial Day Parade, and spoke at the annual Memorial Day service in Cato and Meridian cemeteries.

Ethel worked as a secretary, and as a farmer and homemaker.  She was a member most recently of Cato Baptist Church.  She volunteered at the Cato Public Library and at the LaBuff-Cole Post of the American Legion Auxiliary.  She loved to garden and always had colorful blossoms in and around her house.  She was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed hosting family and friends in her home.  She was an avid quilter, and taught quilting classes to friends and at the Cato Public Library.

A Celebration of Life gathering will take place at the convenience of the family at a later date.  Contributions in Ethel's memory can be made to Cato Public Library or LaBuff-Cole American Legion Post 911 in Cato.