Earnest “Beaver” Carnes, 84 of Metropolis, IL, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026 at his home with family at his bedside.

Beaver was born on March 5, 1942, to Chester “Snooks” Carnes and Myrtle (Cole) Carnes in Metropolis, IL.

Beaver grew up always enjoying something involving the river, from fishing or running boat lines etc. as a youngster, to working for many years on towboats. He worked his way from deckhand in his early years to Chief Engineer for many years on “The City of Hunnington” towboat. Though he enjoyed his years of “tow boating”, his biggest love was his family. In his later years, he liked tinkering in his shop, especially fixing old cars, and talking with his buddies that would drop by. He was a loving husband, dad, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend that is going to be missed by all that knew him.

Beaver is survived by his wife of 35 years, Vickie; daughter, Adreanne Carnes (Bryan); sons, Earnest Carnes III (Rhonda), James Carnes (Angela), and Mike Carnes (Connie); grandchildren, Brynn Powell, Brandon Carnes, Danielle Carnes and Stephanie Bowman; several nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law, Bobby Fletcher.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeff Carnes; daughter, Rachel Carnes; infant twin daughters, Natalie Ranee and Nicole Deshee Carnes; infant son, Justin Hardy Carnes; brothers, Elton Hendrix, Freddy Carnes Sr., and Kenny Carnes; sisters, Pauline Scroggins, Freda Carnes, Margaret Heflin and Roberta Fletcher; brother-in-law, Jack Heflin; sister-in-law, Marie Carnes; nephews, Freddy Carnes Jr., Denny Carnes, Alan Benton and Steve Benton; and great nephew, Ryan Carnes.

Visitation will be held from 10 am until 12 noon on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Funeral will follow at 12 noon with Brenda Rust officiating.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.