Robert W. Barker

Robert W. Barker, Sr., 79, of Delmar, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 14, 2016, at his home in rural Delmar, Iowa. A celebration of Robert's life will be held at 10 A.M., Wednesday, October 19, 2016, from the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, from the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt, Iowa. Robert Wallace Barker was born on November 4, 1936 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Wallace L. and Olive (Butz) Barker. He grew up in rural Welton and graduated from Welton High School in 1955. He farmed and served with the 185th Artillery, 34th Division Red Bull Army National Guard Unit for eight years, and then worked for Central Steel in Camanche for seven years. For the next 17 years he worked as a machine operator and inspector at Caterpillar in Mt. Joy. He then went to truck driving school in Bettendorf and worked for Scott County Ready Mix for 14 years, retiring in 2005. Robert married Nancy L. Hamann on November 4, 1961 in DeWitt, Iowa. To this union four children were born: twins Robert Wallace Jr. and John Henry, ...[more]

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ryl and Kevin. Robert and Nancy later divorced in 1978, and on November 20, 1982 he married Shirley M. Miller in Andrew, Iowa. Shirley preceded him in death on December 28, 2006. Robert had been a member of the UAW while working at Caterpillar. He loved music, dancing, attending country western shows, polka and waltz bands, and had played Tenor Sax and Trumpet in the Welton High School Band. Additionally, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and attending the Great Welton Tractor Ride every September as well as the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant each year. He especially loved his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Those left to honor Robert's memory include his children, Robert Barker, Jr. of Urbandale, IA, Darryl (Toni) Barker of Adel, IA, and Kevin (Kari) Barker of Durant, IA; step-children, Steven Schurbon of Scottsdale, AZ, Pamela (John) Knopf of Dubuque, IA, and Kathy (Bob) Bauer of Preston, IA; a sister-in-law- Rosie Miller of Maquoketa, IA; 4 grandchildren, Dustin, Dylan, Jordan and Max Barker; 7 step-grandchildren, Johnny and Michael Knopf, Derek, Kari and Kristen Schurbon, Shey Bauer and Josey Driscoll; 10 step-great-grandchildren, Landon, Logan and Liam Bauer, Jarrett and Talan Driscoll, Kahler Vance, Michael Knopf, Luke, Noah and Andrew Henline; and 3 nephews Wally, Bill and Jerry Emmert.. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley, a sister Evelyn Dierickx, and an infant son John Henry Barker. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Robert W. Barker, Sr. memorial fund has been established. Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.