Darrell D. Barker, 86, of Dubuque died Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 5:25 am at Stonehill Care Center. To celebrate Darrell’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where a visitation will be held Thursday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Dubuque, held separately with the family.
Darrell was born March 14, 1930 in Fairfield, Iowa, son of Edward and Etola (Pottoff) Barker. Darrell was fortunate enough to have two mothers. Etola passed away when he was very young at age 4 and Mary Florence (Adams) Barker, who raised him through his adulthood and played a significant role in his life by keeping his birth mother’s family in his life.
Darrell would eventually meet the love of his life, Susan Seeley and be united in marriage on August 31, 1952. Their union would be blessed with 63 wonderful years together and have 3 loving daughters.
He worked in the newspaper field for most of his life, starting out delivering papers for the Fairfield Daily Ledger after school during his high school days and full time for three summers. He went on to the University of Iowa newspaper in Iowa City for 17 weeks as a linotype operator, moving on to work for newspapers in Maquoketa, Iowa.
Darrell then moved to Dubuque and worked for the Telegraph Herald for 38 years, working as assistant composing manager of the last 12 years. He was president of the International Typographical Union for two years. His last employment was with Econofoods for three years and six years at Hy-Vee bakery department.
He and his wife were camping enthusiasts for 51 years. Camping all over the Midwest, Darrell and Susan wintered for a month in Florida for 15 years. He was also league secretary and bowled with his buddies for many years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge for over 25 years.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Barker of Dubuque; daughters, Debra (Tom) Bedtka of Dodgeville, WI, Becky (John) Jagielski of Elgin, IL, and Sara Habick of Dubuque; granddaughters, Tracy (Adam) Schroeder, Joscelyn Habick and Jessica Habick; and great grandchildren, Bailey and Dominic Schroeder. He is also survived by his kid sister, Elizabeth (Bill) Bowers of Mt. Lebanon, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Carol (Don) Amrine.
In lieu of flowers, a Darrell Barker Memorial has been established.
For further information, please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.