Jean ‘Barney’ Stinson

DIXON – Jean “Barney” Stinson, 88, of Dixon, died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling.

Barney was born March 18, 1923, in Buda, the son of Alden and Alice (Davis) Stinson. His lifelong love affair with music started at age 8 when he began singing with his brother, Dick. They continued singing and spent many years entertaining in the Dixon and Sterling area at various nursing homes, and for personal and private functions.

He was a Seabee in the Navy, serving in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was an electrical supervisor at Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. in Sterling for many years. He married Tracey (Peska) Hughes on Nov. 25, 1966, in Dixon. Barney’s many interests included all aspects of sports car racing. He raced an Austin Healey Sprite on tracks such as Elkhart, Meadowdale, Wilmot Hills, and Blackhawk Farms. He was a charter member of the Blackhawk Area Sports Car Club of America in Rockford and participated in behind-the-scenes activities for races at Blackhawk Farms Raceway during its formative years.
Barney maintained an active membership in Masonry since joining Friendship Lodge 7, A.F.& A.M. in Dixon in 1970. His other Masonic memberships included Nachusa Chapter 56, R.A.M.; Dixon Council 7, Cryptic Masons of Illinois; and Dixon Commandery 21, Knights Templar. He also held additional memberships in several affiliated groups: Knight York Cross of Honor, Order of the Eastern Star, Knight Masons of the USA and Red Cross of Constantine. He was a proud and active member up to the time of his death.

Survivors include his wife of Dixon; six daughters, Suzanne (Jerry) Ewalt of Galesburg, Jo (Terry) Schmidt of Milledgeville, Maureen (Rusty) O’Leary of Idaho, and Mary Beth Hughes, Laura (Larry) Gilmore and Tracey (Jeff) LaForge, all of Peoria; two sons, Steve (Kelly) Perry of Machesney Park and J. David (Jennifer) Hughes of Florida; 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sons, Mark Stinson, Thomas Hughes, Christopher Hughes and John Stinson; one sister, Joyce Webb; two brothers, Richard and Don Stinson; and one grandson, Lance Schmidt.