SIKESTON, Mo. -- Elmer L. Barnes Jr., 78, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at his home.

He was born April 17, 1924, in St. Louis, son of E.L. and Etta Mae Elliott Barnes Sr. He married Dorothy J. White, who died April 19, 1995. He and Evelyn Struwe were married in April 1996.

Barnes was a graduate of Kennett High School in Kennett, Mo., and attended the University of Missouri. He was a cotton broker 27 years with Anderson Clayton Co., and later owned and operated a cotton brokerage company. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

He was a flight crewman in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include two sons, Dennis Barnes Sr. of St. Louis, Bruce Barnes of Sikeston; a daughter, Rebecka Marine of Frederick, Md.; two sisters, Sue Pruitt of Tupelo, Miss., Alma Landon of Angleton, Texas; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Private funeral will be held Saturday, with Bob Dye officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Kennett.