Percy William Barker's Obituary
Percy William Barker, age 96, of Stanton, MI, passed away peacefully at his home on December 31, 2022, under the care of his family and Spectrum Hospice.Percy was born on July 1, 1926, to Watson and Florence (Bennett) Barker at his family's home in Stanton. Percy graduated from Stanton Agricultural School in 1944, where he played baseball for four years as a left-handed pitcher. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1944. Upon returning from the service in 1946, he joined his father on the family farm.He married Joyce Oswald in March of 1954. During their 68 years together, they raised three daughters.Percy had a great love of farming and his John Deere tractors. He was known for his handpicked, non-irrigated Sebago potatoes. People came from all over the state to buy a bushel or two.Being a proud Navy Veteran, he was a member of VFW Post 5065 - Lester J. Sitts (Sheridan) and American Legion Post 452 (Stanton).He is survived by his wife Joyce; daughters Diana Cooper of Apex, NC, Jan Lacy, and Rhonda Barker (Ruanne VanderVeen) of Stanton; grandson Jason (Jessica) Lacy and great-grandson Aiden Lacy of Grandville; sisters-in-law Toni Oswald and Marilyn Oswald; and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.Percy was predeceased by his parents; sisters Esther (Sanford) Baxter and Lois (Virgil) Davenport; his in-laws Albert and Sadie Oswald; and brothers-in-law Max (Jessie) Oswald and Ardene (Diz) Oswald.Family will greet guests from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Brigham Funeral Chapel, 413 Gilson Street, Edmore, MI, with a short service and Military Honors following. A luncheon will be served at the American Legion Post, 337 W. Day Street, Stanton, at 1:30 pm.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to White Pine Library, 106 E. Walnut Street, Stanton, MI 48888 (envelopes will be available at the Chapel), or a charity of one's choice.
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