Virgil Lee Barker

Virgil Lee Barker, age 93, of Alliance, loving, devoted husband and father died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at his home following an extended illness.  He was born June 7, 1927, in Pedro, Ohio to Arlie Lee Barker Sr. and Nancy (Collins) Barker.

A veteran of the Army Air Corp, Virgil served his country honorably during the Allied Forces occupation in the Philippines.  He returned to Alliance and married Pearl Viola Linaburg.  He built their home in Alliance where they raised their family and were members of the First Baptist Church of Alliance.

With a strong work ethic and a reputation as a talented builder and tradesman, Virgil worked with Dwight Shinn Painting, retiring from the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades Union.  He took great pride in his work at Mount Union College and Alliance Community Hospital.

Virgil was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7921 and a proud founding member and supporter of the family Barker Cup, a golf tournament, held annually since 1988.   He also was an enthusiastic fisherman, taking fishing trips to Canada with the work crew.  Most of all, he enjoyed fishing with his son, Mike, in Florida where they vacationed with family and friends.

Mr. Barker is survived by his son, Craig Michael (Mike) Barker; two daughters, Lorra (Georg) Hambach of Lambertville, New Jersey, and Candice (Russel) West of Shoreline, Washington; two sisters, Dr. Wilma Faye (Rudy) Hollaway of Alliance, and Eleanor (N. Arthur) Zimmerman of Decatur, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Nancy Sylvester of Alliance, Helen Donahoe of Grandview, Texas, and Emma Thomas of Miami, Florida;  brother-in-law, James Linaburg of Terry, Montana; and many loving nieces, nephews, and step- grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife of 68 years, Pearl; sister, Madge Delores (Carl) Weigel; brothers, Lloyd E. (Evelyn), Arlie Jr. (Margaret), Stanley Chester Barker; and twins, Leroy and Lenore.

The family would like to thank the following health care professionals for their support, expertise, and kindness: doctors, Gamal El-Mobasher, Suzan Cheng and Debra Lehrer; the staff of Aultman Alliance Hospice; and Renae of Marc’s Pharmacy in Alliance.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to:  First Baptist Church of Alliance, 1659 W. State Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601 or Aultman Alliance Hospice, 270 E.  State Street, Suite 130, Alliance, Ohio 44601.

A private family service will be held with Pastor Joshua Smith officiating.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601.