Susan Marie Barnes

Susan Marie (Behnke) Barnes, 75, of Dowagiac, MI, passed away after a brief illness on February 16, 2026 in Kalamazoo, MI surrounded by family while listening to Motown music. She was born on June 17, 1950 in Dowagiac, MI to the late Edwin A. Behnke and Patricia L. (Howard) Behnke.

Susan, who went by Sue, Susie, Tootie, Aunt Sue and Sissy graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1968, where she was named junior prom queen and was voted Class Clown and as having the Most Lovable Lips. Shortly after high school Sue began working at James Heddon’s Sons Co. But most got to know and love Sue when she managed her family’s business, D&D Lounge near Indian Lake. There, Sue made sure both staff and customers were having a good time. She was known for her practical jokes, sarcastic comebacks and keeping a baseball bat behind the bar in case customers got a bit too unruly. It was while she was working at D&D that she met the love of her life, Charles (Barney) R. Barnes. Soon, those lovable lips were all his and they married on April 12, 1986. Their first dance was to “I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder, and it remained a favorite and became a theme song for Sue since marrying Barney meant leaving Dowagiac for new adventures in Joliet, IL where he lived and worked. She called home often to catch up with the family and made sure to always say “I love you.” 

Sue and Barney eventually moved to Minooka, Illinois when Barney retired. Sue continued her career in the restaurant business in a nearby town at Boz Hot Dogs, a job she absolutely loved, mostly because the owners treated her like family. She remained in Illinois until 2014, when she moved back to Dowagiac to be closer to family after Barney’s passing.

Besides slinging drinks and hot dogs, Sue loved to golf, mow the yard, sunbathe, play card games, work on jigsaw puzzles, watch games shows and corny reality TV, grill and cook (she made chicken paprika that was phenomenal), and decorate for every season and holiday. She liked a perfectly grilled steak and baked potato with extra butter. She’d occasionally enjoy a double shot of peppermint schnapps on the rocks or a White Russian. She had a favorite summer “outfit” (if you know, you know). She definitely kept her family and friends on their toes with her quick wit, sense of humor and love for all things fun, even if those things could (and sometimes would) get her into trouble—but usually it was the good kind of trouble that you could eventually laugh about. Most of all, Sue was unapologetically herself. She lived life on her own terms and did not care one iota what others thought of her or her choices. She would tell you off, but then she’d hand you a beer. She would call you one of her many interesting/inappropriate nicknames, and then call you honey. She said things that would make you scratch your head in confusion, but would follow it with a cleverly witty remark. She was the life of the party and enjoyed being the center of attention. She was a force to be reckoned with and she will be deeply missed. 

Sue’s greatest joy was her loving family, which includes her brother, Michael (Sherrie Taylor) Behnke of Dowagiac; her sister and best friend, Patricia Ann Behnke of Dowagiac; two nieces, Melissa (Brian) Phillips of Dowagiac and Meredith (Aaron) Marrs of Niles; two great nephews, Drew Phillips of Grand Rapids and Nate (Sarah Spitzke) of Dowagiac; one great niece, Audrey Marrs of Niles; and two great-great nieces, Penelope Hall and Phoebe Phillips, both of Dowagiac; her special cousins, “Sissy” Kathy (Sestric) DeWald of Scottsdale, AZ; her dear friend groups “The F-Troop” and the “Whalers,” and a plethora of cousins and friends. Sue is preceded in death by her husband, Charles R. Barnes, and her parents, Edwin and Patricia Behnke.

Sue had recently adopted a dog, Boo, and quickly grew to love her and sleep with her. Memorial contributions in Sue’s name can be made to Cass County Animal Control, 323 M 62 Cassopolis, MI 49031.

One thing is for certain: if Sue could, she would definitely love to say one last time: “I just called to say I love you.”

In keeping with Susan’s wishes no services are to be held, and cremation is taking place. Palmer Funeral Home- Hoven Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. If you would like to leave online condolences for Sue and her family, please visit www.palmerfuneralhomes.com