Marvin S. Barker

Marvin Sylvester Barker, age 93, of Ionia, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Hazel Findlay Country Manor Nursing Home in St. Johns, Michigan. He was born on April 17, 1928, in St. Johns, son of Louis Frederick and Mary Louise (Fernholz) Barker, both of whom preceded him in death. Marvin attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Pewamo and worked for many years for General Motors in their parts manufacturing division. Marvin exchanged vows with Sandra S. Shepard when they eloped to Indiana to get married. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and preparing the dogs for chasing raccoons and rabbits. On the way home from his and Sandra’s wedding, he noticed some pheasants in the field not far from the house, so he dropped Sandra off at home and hurried back to shoot dinner to take home for that evening. Marvin will be remembered as someone who loved to work with wood, tinkered with all sorts of things, and could fix anything that was broken. He attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ionia and after turning 70, became interested in singing gospel music and offered his deep baritone voice and his guitar playing “talents” to two groups, the Maple River Strummers, and the Country Folks, traveling with them to area nursing homes and other venues to sing and entertain.

Marvin leaves behind his beloved wife, Sandra, his wife of 65 years; children, Phil (Sue) King of Cave Creek, AZ, Debbie (Bill) Wilson of Glendale, AZ, Karen (Mike) Towersy of Ionia, MI, Mark (Vickie) Barker of Muir, MI, Carol (Robert Wright) Roberts of Ionia, MI and Mike (Jeni) Barker of Belding, MI; grandchildren Matt, Nathan, Lisa, Mark, Kevin, Danny, David, Marcus, Brenton, Mike, Tyler and Jessica; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Jerome, Florian, Elmer, Ralph, Robert, and Alberta.

Cremation Rites are being accorded and a Graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 901 E. Washington Street (East of 4th Street between Main Street and M-21), Ionia, MI 48846, with Fr. Tom Brown officiating. For additional information, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home in Belding at (616) 794-1300 or www.verdunfh.com.