Aug. 18, 1946 — Aug. 22, 2026
John Wayne Barber, 80, died Aug. 22.
He was born in Moline, Illinois. He and his wife Niki moved to Cottonwood in 2024.
Wayne graduated from United Township High School in 1965, served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970 aboard the USS Coral Sea [CV-43] off the coast of Vietnam.
He was preceded in death by his parents John Barber and Velma and Don Smallwood and his stepson Bob Hintze. he is survived by his wife, Niki; brothers Dennis (Vangy) Barber, Paul (Diane) Barber and Jeff Smallwood; sister Linda Thomas; stepson Kyle Winchell; nieces and nephews.
An honor service will be held at the Rock Island Arsenal, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m.
