December 29, 1930 – May 5, 2024
Vera Lon Barker, 93, Sheridan, passed away on Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, at Witham Hospital in Lebanon, Ind. Born December 29, 1930, in Boone County, she was the daughter of the late Charles Eldon “Doney” and Rena Bernice (Bailey) Wallace.
Vera graduated from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1949, and married the love of her life, Maurice D. Barker, a few months later. Maurice and Vera were married on October 7, 1949. As their family began to grow, Vera’s focus was on raising her children and taking care of everything that needed looked after around the house. On December 20, 1978, Maurice passed away, leaving Vera to not only be the keeper of the house, but also the sole breadwinner. She also helped her children (as well as herself) navigate their grief. Vera held strong to her faith, and gathered her strength from the very thing she was trying to protect … her family. Being a mom to her children was the single most important thing in her life.
Vera went to work for Dr. Manhart, in Sheridan, in 1979. This job fit her like a glove. She knew most of the people in town and enjoyed visiting with them when they would come in for an appointment. She had a way of putting patients at ease, and that goes a long way at a place nobody particularly wants to visit. When Dr. Manhart retired from his practice in 1986, Vera went to work for Dr. Poore, and later Dr. Boone, before finding her way to Hoosier Orthopedic, where she spent the last 10 years of her career.
Trying her hand at retirement, Vera made the move to Apache Junction, Ariz., in May of 1996. The Arizona winters were much nicer than Indiana, but there was something back here that even 60-degree Januarys couldn’t overshadow: her family, especially her grandchildren. She eventually returned home to Indiana and never looked back.
Whenever she had some time for herself, she loved to crochet. She made gifts for all occasions: baby afghans, toys, sweater sets, and graduation and wedding gifts. She was also an amazing quilter. Making quilts for her family was a labor of love. She enjoyed watching football and basketball, but she was always a little partial to baseball, and that’s because she was a Cubs fan first and a Diamondbacks fan second.
Vera was a more than 50-year member of the Sheridan First Christian Church, where she was active in CWF, and Hope Circle, as well as serving the congregation as church treasurer for 17 years. She was currently attending Christ Tabernacle in Sheridan, where her son Rich serves as pastor.
Vera is survived by four sons, Charles “Chuck” Barker (Rita) of Anderson, Jerry Barker (Janet) of Sheridan, Richard “Rich” Barker (Kathy) of Kirklin, and Steven Barker (Jama) of Sheridan; four daughters, Peggy Chessmore (Clarence Todd) of Nebraska, Gloria Bacon of Sheridan, Beverly Barney (Terry) of South Carolina, and Sally Henderson (Coleman) of Sheridan; 40 grandchildren; 86 great-grandchildren (plus three on the way); four great-great grandchildren; brother, Paul “Ed” Wallace (Gail) of Sheridan; sisters-in-law, Sue Wallace and Phyllis Louise Barker; and many, many, many, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Eldon “Doney” and Rena Bernice (Bailey) Wallace; two sisters, Wilma Laughlin and Jennie Mae Armentrout; two brothers, Chester Earl “Chet” Wallace, and James A. “Jim” Wallace (and wife Jacquelyn); four brothers-in-law, Meredith L. Barker (and wife Lillian), Donald E. Barker (and wife Hilda), John P. Barker, and Marvin Lester Barker (and wife Barbara); two sisters-in-law, Ruth Anna Roberts (and husband Leon), and Esta Mae Hunter (and husband Charles); her husband, Maurice D. Barker; and by her great-granddaughter who was named in her honor, Vera Hanson.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Vera’s son, Pastor Chuck Barker, will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to Christ Tabernacle Church in Sheridan.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com