Charles Washington Barker, son of Thomas and Catherine  Ann Barker, was born in Davis County, on Thanksgiving day, Novemeber 23rd, 1882, on  a farm five miles northwest of Troy, and departed this life Wednesday morning February 15, 1950, at the age of 67 years, 2 months, and 17 days, having suffered a heart attack just five days previously. He was united in marriage to Sylvia E Downing, January 16, 1907, in Bloomfield, officiated by the Rev Mose Downing, an uncle of the Bride. They went to housekeeping on a farm near his birthplace, where he resided at the time of his death. To this union were born three children, a daughter, Mrs Gladys Noel of Ottumwa, and 2 sons, Charles Lowell and Ted R of Bloomfield. Throughout his years withus the many friends he made are countless, his enemies are none. He endeavored through life to center his interests on others rather than upon himself. Tears are the oldest and commonest of all things on earth and yet, how new the tale each time told by them. Though the sorrow of his going is new to this family today, they can rest secure in the blessed thought that his life was nobly and wisely spent. Charles was the youngest of a family of eight children, four of whom survive. His life, like that of others, was not without its sorrows, but all of his toiling and cares are over and in that blessed homeland to welcome his coming are his loved ones, who preceded him in death: a baby sister, Emma Jane, who died in infancy, his father and mother; two brothers, Harry and Henry. Besides his sorrowing companion, Sylvia, he is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Gladys and R O Noel of Ottumwa, 2 sons and daughters in-law, Chas Lowell and Jean, Teddy R and Rosa Mae Barker of Bloomfield; 3 grandchildren, Jerry Noel and wife Ruth, Beverly Jean Noel of Bloomfield and one great grand daughter, Michele Noel of Ottumwa; 3 brothers, John T of Troy, Jesse F of Bloomfield, Joseph A of Ottumwa, a sister, Mrs Sarah Tharp and friends. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, February 18 at 1:30 PM at the Wagler Funeral home by Rev Lowell Colston. The pall bearers were Lowell and Leon Jackson, Noel Ritz, Homer Roberson, Irwin Camp, Lester Prevo, Herbert Arney, Russell Ritz. Burial was in the Rouch cemetery.