John H. Barker

John H. Barker, 89, of Pleasant Plains passed away May 10. The son of Jared H. Barker and Mary Sutherland Barker, John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Vera M. Barker; daughter Sandra Barker and brother Jared T. Barker. John was an Arkansas school administrator for 30 years, in Wilburn, Manila, Concord, Bearden and Osceola where he retired in 1986 after 20 years as Director of Instruction. John graduated from Arkansas College in Batesville where he met and married the love of his life. Just one "Good morning, John " was all it took. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Kiwanis International, where he served a term as President in Osceola. John was a passionate outdoorsman, an accomplished storyteller, woodworker, inventor, and with his wife Vera, was among the first farmers in Northeast Arkansas to grow blueberries. John was a lifelong Methodist and active member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church for over 25 years. Survivors include two sisters: Mary Lou McCollough of Cabot and Linda Thomas of Sherwood, brother Joel Barker of Denver, Colo.; three daughters: Karen Barker of Pleasant Plains, Sara Goff of Memphis, Tenn. and Joan Schuman of Rolla, Mo. and three grandchildren. Services will be held Monday, May 16, 2016 11 a.m. at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church in Floral, Ark. Visitation will be Sunday, May 15 at Willis Funeral Service in Batesville, Ark. from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church or to Arkansas Food Bank.