From the Douglas County Herald, February 5, 2009: Ernest Gerard Barnum. He worked with old cars, and loved family and friends Ernest Gerard Barnum, 66 years, passed to heaven on Jan. 31, 2009 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Missouri. Ernest was born March 9, 1942 in Romulus, Michigan, to Clifford and Mary (Novak) Barnum. Ernest was employed as Millwright with a steel company. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Cook and to this union three children were born. Ernest attended the Highway Church of the Nazarene in Ava, Missouri. He liked working with his old cars, reading his Bible and attending church. He loved being with his family and friends. Ernest was preceded by his parents, two brothers, Barney and Tony Barnum. Ernest is survived by three children, Ronnie Barnum and wife, Vicki, Strafford, Tim Barnum and wife, Robin, Palmer, Alaska, and Teresa Barnum, Nixa; six grandchildren, Caleb, Dylan, Tyler, Danyelle, Jordon and McKenzie; six brothers and sisters, Dale Barnum, Biloxi, Miss., Maxine Turner, Ava, Geraldine Walker, Ava, Pat Szczechowski, Marshfield, Barbara Short and Mary Lee Myers,both of Ava; and a host of other relatives and friends. Burial in the Ellison Cemetery.