Josephine M. Barker, 93, of Kendallville, Indiana died Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Orchard Pointe Health Campus in Kendallville.

She was born January 3, 1933, in DeKalb County to Raymond and Fairy (Schimpf) Goodwin.

She was a graduate of Kendallville High School. She married Max A. Barker on September 8, 1951, at South Milford United Methodist Church. She helped on the dairy farm for over 50 years.

She was a member of the Wayne Center United Methodist Church. She was also a past member of the South Milford Friendship Club and the Noble County Fun and Fancy Club.

She enjoyed gardening, caring for the lawn, and school reunions. Her greatest enjoyment was her family. She cherished every moment with her family, loving every gathering, every cookout at the cabin, and especially her role as a devoted mom to seven, a proud grandma to twelve grandchildren, and a great-grandma to ten great-grandchildren.

Josie is survived by her children, Pam (Frank) Rodriguez of Southbury, Connecticut, Hal (Cheryl) Barker of Kendallville, Jeanne (Dan) Hosted of Kendallville, Dave Barker of Kendallville, and Tim (Lori) Barker of Hamilton and Nanette Meyer of Kendallville.

12 grandchildren, Jamie (Mike) Riedeman of Indianapolis, Joe (Kathy) Barker of Kendallville, Justin (Jacqueline) Rodriguez of Wallingford, Connecticut, Mel (Don) Smith of Newtown, Connecticut, Julie (Brendan) Malloy of Stamford, Connecticut, Stacy (Dave) Everage of Kendallville, Tiffany (Chris Safford) Hosted of Kendallville, Ryan (Tiffany Foster) Hosted of Fort Wayne, Kyle (Carlee) Hosted of Kendallville, Sam (Krystal) Meyer of Kendallville, Hailey (Justin George) Meyer of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Jack Meyer of Kendallville; ten great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Amy Barker and Barbara Goodwin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Max of 65 years; her parents; son, Hugh Barker; son-in-law, Kurt Meyer; two sisters, Ginny Hale and Waneta Luttman; two brothers, Staff Sgt. Chester Goodwin in World War II, and Dale Goodwin.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday all at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 30, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Ken Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Joe Barker, Justin Rodriguez, Ryan Hosted, Kyle Hosted, Sam Meyer, and Jack Meyer. Preferred memorials are to Wayne Center United Methodist Church.

View a video tribute after Sunday or share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com