Earnest Lee Barker

Earnest Lee Barker, 80, of Commiskey, passed away in Bedford at his daughter’s residence on September 29, 2021.

Born January 8, 1941, in Paris Crossing, he was the son of the late Woodrow and Dorothy (McIntosh) Barker. He married Donna Jean (Gordon) Barker on April 3, 1960, at the First Christian Church in North Vernon; she preceded him in death on May 9, 2008.

Earnest graduated from Paris Crossing High School in 1959 and served in the National Guard for six years. He worked as a foreman for Cummins Engine Company for 32 years before retiring in 1993. He was a member of Coffee Creek Christian Church and attended Leatherwood Christian Church. Earnest founded a farmers’ market and enjoyed watching go-kart races, woodworking, eating pie, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his sons, David Lee and Jonathan Andrew (Lisa) Barker, both of Commiskey, and James Gordon Barker of Crystal River, Florida; daughters, Ruth (Sherman) Thomas of Bedford and Donna Sue Barker of Florence, Kentucky; brothers, Roger (Lorraine) Barker of Columbus, Terry Barker of Greenwood, and Billy (Betty) Barker of Seymour; sister, Pauline (Paul) Brooks of North Vernon; grandchildren, Kaylee (Justin) Lesnet and Jerry Roberts, both of North Vernon, Ki (Heather) Roberts of Washington, Indiana, Charlie Roberts of Kansas, and Seth Thomas, Eli Thomas, and Cora Thomas, all of Bedford; and great grandchildren, Peyton Lesnet of North Vernon and Chase Roberts of Washington, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Norman Barker; and sister, Ireva Barker.

A funeral service for Earnest will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Coffee Creek Christian Church in Paris Crossing with the Rev. Sherman Thomas officiaiting. Family and friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in the Coffee Creek Christian Church Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Memorials may be made in honor of Earnest through the funeral home to the Coffee Creek Cemetery Association.

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