Barris

Michael Eric Barris, 39, of West Freedom, Clarion County, died suddenly Monday from an aortic aneurysm.

Born March 11, 1971, in Falmouth, Mass., he was the son of Will and Jean Turner Barris, who survive in Knox, Clarion County.

Michael was employed by Schwann's in Cranberry Township.

He was a member of the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Ninevah, Clarion County and attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Emlenton

Michael enjoyed golfing, woodworking and watching sports, especially the Steelers and the Pirates.

A talented vocalist, Michael sang with “Higher Ground” while in high school and later with “Logical Choice,” a barbershop quartet. Mike was selected on two occasions to sing the national anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He was married May 25, 1996, to the former Regina Marie Nickerson, and she survives. In addition to his parents and his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Abigail Mae Barris at home; two brothers, David Barris and his wife, Marilyn, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Edward Barris of Williamsport, Lycoming County; and a sister, Christine Ashbaugh and her husband, Kevin, of Knox. Also surviving are his in-laws, Eugene and Sarah Nickerson of Sligo; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Everett and Dorothy Turner; and his paternal grandparents, Gerald and Geraldine Barris.

<B>BARRIS </B>— The family of Michael Eric Barris, who died Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>David C. McEntire Funeral Home</B>, 504 E. Penn St., Knox, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, 2561 Grace Church Road, Knox. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Rick Osberg, pastor of Grace E.C. Church, and Monsignor Jan Olowin of the St. Michael Catholic Church in Emlenton officiating. Interment will follow in the Knox Union Cemetery.The family suggests memorials be made to the American Heart Association.