Obit: Barker, Robert (1913 - 1942)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Barker, Dahlke, Beels, Messerschmidt, Stevenson, Gauger, Hofmann, Hoff, Pederson, Stargardt, Fischer

----Source: Spencer Record, Spencer, Wis.) 06/04/1942

Barker, Robert (30 MAR 1913 - 27 MAY 1942)


Robert Barker, aged 29 died suddenly at 5 o’clock Wednesday, May 27, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Dahlke of Edgar, route 4, where he had been employed the past three months. Death was caused by accidental suffocation during an epileptic seizure.

Robert Barker was born March, 30, 1913, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barker. The family moved to the town of Spencer about 24 years ago, and he received his education at the Sawyer school. He is survived by his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Alfred (Doris) Beels of Marshfield, and Mrs. Kermit (Joanita) Messerschmidt of Livington; his grandmother, Mrs. Nellie Stevenson of Spencer; his grandfather, Richard Barker of Des Moines, Iowa, and five nieces and nephews , Patricia and Beverly Messerschmidt and Eugene, Douglas and Charles Beels.

The funeral services were held at 2:00 o’clock Saturday afternoon at the Co-operative Funeral Home at Marshfield with burial in the family lot at Hillside cemetery. Rev. Ellery J. Beel, pastor of the Methodist church, in charge of the services. Mr. Barker was a member of the Spencer Methodist church. One of the hymns sung, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was his favorite. He was of a kind and cheerful disposition and a good son, and will be missed by his many friends, who extend their sympathy to the family. His death came as a shock to the community.

Pall bearers were Alvin Gauger, Fred Hofmann, Robert Gauger, Theodore Hoff, William Pederson, and Ray Messerschmidt. Flower girls were Misses Bernice and Bernadine Stargardt, Dorothy and Dolores Fischer. Those from away who attended the funeral were Charles Barker of Arkansas and Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Messerschmidt and daughters of Livingston, Wis.