Kenneth Barker

Kenneth O. "Ken" Barker, 73, of Decatur, IL, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2013, at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, February 18, 2013, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, #1 Bachrach Ct., Decatur, IL, with visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Sunday at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL, and also at the church from 10:00 AM Monday until service time. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton, IL. Memorials may be made to Golden K Kiwanis Club or St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Ken was born July 23, 1939, in Nokomis, IL, the son of Ruth Sneddon Barker Kraft and Kenneth Barker. He married Janet Ann Polen in Decatur, on July 30, 1976. Ken retired from PPG after 40 years constant employment, and then worked at the Boy Scouts of America, as the store manager at the Lincoln Trails Council office, retiring in 2010. Ken was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America. He achieved the Life rank as a youth. During his 50 years of service as an adult he served as Webelos Leader, Scoutmaster, Explorer Post Advisor, Committee Member and Chairperson, and Unit Commissioner among others. He was a member of the Firecrafters and Order of the Arrow. He earned the District Award of Merit in 1977 and was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1980 for his distinguished service. He was awarded the Lutheran Lamb for his service to Lutheran Scouting. He raised two sons to earn the Eagle rank. Most recently he was a Tiger Leader for his grandson Dominic. Ken was also a member of Golden K Kiwanis and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Decatur. He was an avid fisherman, going to all the lakes in the central Illinois area. When he was not fishing, he enjoyed working in his garden. He is survived by his wife: Janet, of Decatur, IL; children: Elizabeth (Betsy) (Neal) Cobren of Decatur, IL, Ross A. (Lisa) Martin of Arlington Heights, IL, Blake E. (Kathy) Martin of Chatham, IL, and Chad A. (Sue) Barker of Decatur, IL; eight grandchildren: Dominic, Aurora, Julius, and Elektra Cobren of Decatur, Kelsey and Seth Martin of Arlington Heights, IL, Amanda Martin of Chatham, IL, and Dalton Barker of Decatur, IL; step father Boyd Kraft of Decatur, IL. He was preceded in death by his daughter Ginger Barker and his parents. "
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