Myrtle Marie Barker
Myrtle Marie Barker, 82, of Arkansas City, died Sunday
(August 9, 2009) at Riverview Manor of Oxford.
Myrtle was born on Oct. 3, 1926, in Winfield to Harvey
Forrest and Mary Helen (Carlton) Porter. They preceded her in death.
She was reared and educated in Winfield.
She married Alfred Leon Barker on Oct. 28, 1954, in Pawnee,
Okla. The couple made their home in Arkansas City from 1954 to 1972 and in
Newton from 1972 until 1994, when Alfred preceded her in death.
She returned to Arkansas City, where she lived with her
daughter until moving to Riverview Manor in 2005.
Myrtle worked at Boeing during World War II, Kress Five and
Dime for several years; for Pamona tile for two years; and the Dillons store in
Arkansas City from 1956 until 1969. In 1969, Myrtle owned and operated a Merle
Norman Cosmetic Store in Arkansas City. Upon moving to Newton, Myrtle returned
to work for Dillons until her retirement in 1989.
Myrtle was member of Hillcrest Bible Baptist Church and more
recently Blessing Heights Church of God. She was a member of the Zeta-Zeta
Sorority. She was a longtime avid Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs fan.
Survivors include a daughter, Theo Cox and her husband,
Charlie, of Arkansas City; two sons, Marshall Kendrick and his wife, Linda, of
Newton, and Forrest Kendrick and his wife, Vickie, of Arkansas City; two
stepsons, Mike and Arland Barker of Arkansas City; brothers, Don Porter and
wife, Marla, Phil Porter and wife, Deb, and Ken Porter and wife, Kendra;
sisters, Sandy Berwert and husband, Ron, of Winfield, Andrea Sheperd and
husband, Bobby, of Winfield, Helen Ann Dickerson and husband, Don, of Arkansas
City, Dorothy Placette of Rosenburg, Texas, Carol Runnels of Newton, Juanita
Gottlob and husband, Dale, Gottlob of Conifer, Colo., and Norma Hayden of
Seattle; two sisters-in-law, Cleta Porter and Carman Porter; 12 grandchildren;
25 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by a sister Agnes Winslow,
and two brothers, Tom and Leonard Porter.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at
Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City.
Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery of Winfield.
A memorial has been established with the Cowley County
Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.rindt-erdman.com.
1926 - 2009 (82 years)