Wayne M. Barker

Wayne Melvin Barker, 90, of Elkhart IN, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 following an extended illness.  Born in Richmond, IN on July 12, 1928 to the late Howard and Bertha (Mobley) Barker.  He is survived by his wife Jayne Stephens Barker of 33 years. Also surviving are children, Amy (Steve) Cowart, Milton, FL ; Eric (Matt) Barker, Stillwater, OK; Heather (Dave) Blough, Middlebury, IN ; grandchildren Amber and Ian Arnold, Steven Cowart, Stephanie Lawler and Kelsey Blough; sister Ramona Johnson of Richmond, IN.  He was proceeded in death by an infant child, respectively.

Wayne graduated from Richmond High School, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1952, Earlham College with a Masters in 1964.  He served honorably in the US Navy as a Lieutenant, JG aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton from 1952 - 1955.  In 1967 he started at Purdue University Richmond, IN as a professor in Mechanical Engineering.  Then in 1984, Wayne moved to Elkhart, IN to start the Purdue University Elkhart Campus retiring in 1994 after 28 years.  

Visitation for Wayne will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 from 4-6 pm at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart, followed by a service at 6:00pm.

Burial will be Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the Marion National Veterans Cemetery in Marion, IN with US Navy Honors. 

Arrangements and online condolences for Wayne are under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart, IN.

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