Barnes Woodcraft

04/16/2025

Love this memory SO much. Love his handmade toys, made in America (the best!) where in some you can still see his spirit shining through. And love and miss dear dad ❤️

06/24/2024

Thinking of dear ‘ole dad (Emmett) on his birthday 💖 Such a sweet, clever and funny man. He sure is missed! And we miss going to the shop. Great memories!! Sending him a big hug and lots of love 🙏🏻❤️

10/07/2023

It’s Autumn on Parade weekend in Oregon, so dad (Emmett) has sure been on our minds and hearts. Working with him in that booth was always a happy occasion, and one I (and many in the family) looked forward to each year for three decades. My husband and I took a drive down there this afternoon to reminisce, and despite the chill in the air, it was still sunny and was as packed as ever! Oh, I remember working that booth side by side on dreary, rainy days where we were bundled up in our long underwear and winter coats! We still had many laughs and memorable conversations. And dad always had his thermos of hot coffee. Thinking of those times, this weather today was actually pretty nice 💖

On the drive down, I picked up my phone to check my Facebook and there was a notification from the Junction Eating Place in Dekalb (dad’s routine Sunday night supper place with the boys) saying that Barnes Woodcraft had been tagged; that was very unusual…in fact the first time I can remember receiving such a notification…and even though it was just a tag that went out to everybody about their menu, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I received that at that moment 🙏🏻

It just wouldn’t seem right to let an Autumn on Parade go by without a photo of dad and his booth, and since he’s obviously saying hi, to share that with all of you 💖 And along with a couple photos of today’s crowd, here’s another photo I found of his sister, my aunt Doris, working the booth with him many years ago, and in the comments, check out the video from his grandson. This time with him meant so much to so many ❤️

Hi back, dad; sure love and miss you 🥰 And thank you for so very much ❤️ -Nora

05/07/2022

Oh my goodness; look at this treasure I just found in my dad’s belongings. A detailed drawing of the Kountry Kitchen (now the Shabbona Cafe) he did in 1993. ❤️ He captured everything. He even has the table of the guys playing dice. I wonder if any of you are in it! He loved that cafe and all the people so. I hear they put a nameplate in the bar at the counter where he sat. We need to visit soon. Such wonderful people, his other family ❤️

12/31/2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dad’s friends! It is a bittersweet season for us all missing our beloved dad, grandfather, husband, though we are also thankful that he is in a better place and his love, and memories of his teachings, laughter and smile are always with us 💖

I wanted to share this with you all since it warms our hearts so much that our beloved dad’s legacy goes on and on. Besides many family members receiving gifts of dad’s woodcrafts that were purchased from the auction, bringing many smiles, we just received a message from Emmett’s grandson Josh, wife DeAnn (who is the son of Emmett’s youngest daughter, Nola) that besides saving a couple for his children to give to their children, “a lot of 'jalopy' trucks that we won from grandpa's estate sale was donated to the local Boys and Girls Club in Raleigh (NC). Hopefully it will bring joy to some underprivileged kids in the area.” Our hearts are warmed. Grandpa Emmett must be so proud ❤️

We are so thankful for all the joy you brought our father. Blessings to you all 🙏🏻

10/28/2021

Hi friends. My sisters and I have finally been going through dad’s things and I thought you might like a little visit from our dad Emmett ❤️ So here’s just one of many things he crafted that I thought might bring you a smile. He loved recreating old-fashioned toys with his spin to them. At the computer drawing his plans, then to the shop to make those ideas come to life. We love them 🥰

07/21/2021

I was just sent this video and it warmed my heart. This is a grandson of Emmett’s nephew playing with Emmett’s basketball game, and winning! Those wooden toys last for many, many years. Emmett’s legacy continues ❤️

05/03/2021

https://bearrows.hibid.com/catalog/280104/emmett-barnes-estate---shabbona-il---woodcrafter/

Buy At Auction. Red Wood Crafted Combine Flower Planter 36” L x, Green Wood Crafted Combine Flower Planter 36” L x, Wood Crafted Toy Crane 8”X 5 1/2” x 15” T, Wood Crafted Toy Crane 8”X 5 1/2” x 15” T, ERTL Massey – Harris Challenger 1/16th Scale Toy, Case International 1/16” Sca...

04/13/2021

We want to let our beloved dad’s friends and followers know that work is underway to sell the items at Barnes Woodcraft in an upcoming online auction (handcrafted plus a lot of tools and equipment). We will post details for you as they occur. Thank you! 💖

02/19/2021

We have finished the family viewing for our beloved father and currently the visitation is going on. We are so very sorry that we cannot greet all of our dear friends and family at the funeral home though due to Covid it is not allowed 😞 We just thank you so very much for your friendship and love towards our beloved dad, and all of us, and for all of the beautiful flowers. Sending our love and here’s a link to the video of some snippets of dad’s long, beautiful and blessed life that is showing during the visitation and tomorrow’s private funeral ❤️

02/08/2021

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the peaceful passing of Emmett this past Friday. We know he truly enjoyed his time creating at the shop or just hanging out with all of his friends and visitors who would stop in, and also loved going down the street to the Shabbona Cafe for coffee and meals and to visit with everyone there and other places around town. We will always remember his smiles, laughter, wit, humor and kindness, and know that he will be greatly missed by many besides, of course, by ourselves. Our condolences to his many friends. On behalf of his beloved family, we thank you for bringing a smile (many smiles) to his face for these so many years he has had his shop there ❤️

Arrangements are pending through Unger Horner in Rochelle and his full obituary with information on a public walk-thru (Covid-style visitation) will be posted on their website and in the newspaper later. There will be a private funeral and those will be in a couple of weeks.

Update: His full obituary...
https://www.ungerhorner.com/obituary/emmett-barnes?fbclid=IwAR0k3w7Li7GtNF2HAaWp3enQ0k5w5hUDwqcjW8jZUSmX0xoOIs7D3skNULw