Robert Barker

BARKER - Robert M. Barker, age 83, passed away on Saturday, January 23 in his home. He was born February 12, 1926 in Grand Rapids and lived in Rockford until 1930 when he moved to Lakeview where he attended the Lakeview school system until his draft in WWII in 1945. He served in the 13th Armored, Black Cats Division and toured in Central Europe and the Rhineland. Upon returning home, he met and married Dora P. Minaker of Ionia and moved to Grand Rapids where he built his own home. He had three daughters, Barbara, Linda and Donna. He retired from the GM, 36th Street plant, in 1981 after almost 32 years of employment. He then returned to his former home in the Lakeview area where he built his second house and lived until present. Robert's great loves were spending time with his family, gardening and his three cats. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Dora; daughters, Mrs. Harold L. Hocum of Six Lakes, Mrs. Russell DeBoer of Sand Lake and Mrs. Steven Kanoza of Arizona; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and on December 2, 2009 he became a great-great-grandfather. Also left behind are a sister, Margery Ralph of Sheridan; a half brother, Leroy of California and a step-sister, Wiletta Rogers of California. A funeral service for Robert is scheduled for Wednesday, January 27 at 11 a.m. at Brigham Funeral Chapel in Lakeview with Pastor James Massengill officiating. The family will receive friends at visitations scheduled for Monday, January 25 from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, January 26 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, January 27 from 10 to 11 a.m. (one hour prior to the service) at the Brigham Funeral Chapel in Lakeview. Internment will be in the Blythefield Memory Gardens in Rockford. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of West Michigan. Condolences for the family may be e-mailed to: brighamfuneralchapel@cmsinter.net with Robert's name in the subject line. The family has entrusted Robert's arrangements to Brigham Funeral Chapel in Lakeview. 989-352-5400.