Obituary

Vencil Ray Barker, 83, of South Milford, died Wednesday, February 09, 2011, at 5:10 a.m. in his residence.

Mr. Barker was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired as a supervisor after 42 years from Newnam Foundry in Kendallville. He was a volunteer for the South Milford Fire Department for many years.

Ray enjoyed working in the yard, and dearly loved his grandchildren.

He was born February 19, 1927, in Red Wine, Kentucky to Willie and Mattie (Hammons) Barker. On March 15, 1974, in Auburn he married Cora Bolen.

Surviving are his wife, Cora Barker of South Milford; seven daughters, Nicole (Randy) Harness of Pleasant Lake, Eugenia (Rick) Jacques of Live Oak, Texas, Lisa (Harold) Harris of Smyrna, Georgia, Trina (Josh) Caudill of Waterloo, Lois (Edward) Huff of Kendallville, Sandy Taulbee and her friend Louis Hyde of Kendallville and Phyllis (George) Forbes of Michigan; four sons, Dwayne (Pam) Barker of Rockford, Illinois, Danny (Lionor) Barker of Tucson, Arizona, Jamie Barker of Orland, and Howard (Linda) Charles of Ashley; 34 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; three sisters, Catherine Fields of Xenia, Ohio, Maxine (Delmer) Rogers of Lexington, Kentucky, and Reva Spidel of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Tina Marie Barker; two grandchildren, Jeremy Taulbee and Stephanie Harness; and five brothers, Orville Barker, Glenn Barker, Cecil Barker, Junior Barker, and Clyde Barker.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 2 p.m. in Harbor of Love Baptist Church, 2353 South Lima Road, Kendallville with Pastor David Bolen officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville. Military graveside services will be conducted by active duty members of the U.S. Army.

Honorary casketbearers are Lucas Caudill, Tyler Caudill, Jeremiah Taulbee, Josh Caudill, Eddie Huff, and Howard Charles. Active casketbearers are Doug Spidel, Jesse Charles, Harold Harris, Randy Harness, Jarrod Charles, and Jerry Barker.

Calling is Friday, February 11, 2011, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the church where there will be an evening service at 7 p.m.

Arrangements are by Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville.

View a video tribute after Friday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com