Birth: November 26, 1927
Death: February 12, 2011
Location: Lot 128, Section 4, New Addition
Mary Ellen (Reeder) Barker, 83, of Wood River died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Society in Wood River.
Mary was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Denman (south of Shelton) to Thalbert and Mary (Schumann) Reeder.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Barker.
Survivors are: sons and daughters-in-law, James and Linda Barker of Cairo, Douglas and Phyllis Barker of Wood River, Paul and Ronda Barker of Grand Island; sister, Emma Brouckmiller of Portland, Ore.; brothers, Archie Reeder of Arizona and Junior Reeder of Imperial; brother-in-law, Norman Whitten of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Marie Reeder of Shelton; grandchildren, Jason and fiance, Christa Fillinger, Jennifer, Julie, Jeani, William; great-granddaughter, Aaren; three step grandchildren, Jolynn, Lanell, and Joe and step-great-grandchildren, Mercedie, Skyler, Austin, Danielle, Taylor, Gaige, Ciera and Karbin.
Mary started school in Denman, and then attended District 27, southwest of Wood River. She moved into Wood River with her parents when she was a 3rd grader and graduated from Wood River High School with the class of 1947.
She married Glenn E. Barker on June 4, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Wood River.
The couple made their home in Wood River their entire married life.
While she was in high school, she began working at the Dinette Cafe and worked there for 12 years. She babysat for several years and then returned to work for Larry and Dorothy’s Cafe for 13 years and later at other cafes.
Mary was raised in a Christian family where church was always a big part of her life: serving on several church committees, taught Sunday school and has been Secretary of the night circle for 40 years. She received her 50-year membership pin to the church in 1994.
She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, collecting cookbooks, baking and gardening – giving finished products to friends. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Mary was also preceded in death by brothers, Billie, Marvin and Ralph Reeder, sister, Viola Whitten, and an infant sister.
Published Grand Island Independent 2/15/2011