Carolyn Barker

Carolyn E. Barker, 92, of Port Huron, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017 in her home. She had suffered a heart attack on Oct. 14 while visiting family in East Tawas, MI, and returned to Port Huron Oct. 17 after undergoing surgery in St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw.

Carolyn was born February 4, 1925 in Port Huron to the late Robert and Mattie Powell. She graduated from Port Huron High School in 1942, Port Huron Junior College in 1944 and Michigan State University in 1946, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She married Robert Barker on February 28, 1948 in Port Huron. He predeceased her in 1984.

Carolyn taught kindergarten for 26 years, mostly in Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, retiring in 1984. She was a lifelong member of First Congregational Church, active in Circle 3 and member over the years of several church boards. She also was a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary and longtime volunteer in the Army’s Giving Tree program. She enjoyed a host of activities: knitting, painting, sewing, tennis, gardening, golf, baking, reading and pets, especially cats.

Her favorite places were the family’s longtime cottage in Grand Bend, Ontario; the beach in Venice, FL during the winter; and her children’s homes in East Tawas and Traverse City.

She is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Jim) Mielke; a son, Dr. Robert (Colleen) Barker; four grandchildren, Scott (Sarah) Barker, Benjamin (Stephanie) Mielke, James Mielke and Jonathan Mielke; two great grandchildren, Sadie Barker and Saige Barker; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Whitehead and her children, John and Susie; dear friend and longtime companion, Bernie Lyons; and three devoted nieces, Cheryl Frank, Laura Frank and Kathy Schneider. She was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley (Lyle) Frank and Jean (James) Brogan.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2017 in First Congregational Church. The Rev. Guy Lynch will officiate.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church or The Salvation Army.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com