Fern L. Barker Obituary (1918 - 2011)

Fern (Burse) Barker Milford – Fern (Burse) Barker, 93, passed away on May 19, 2011 at an Orono health care facility after a brief illness. She was born May 16, 1918 in Olamon, ME the daughter of Albert and Mertie Burse. Fern moved with her family to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada in 1935. Following graduation, she worked in the office for Coulter Lumber in Fredericton before moving to Old Town in 1944. She worked in the office at the Ounegan Woolen Mill in Old Town until 1949. Fern was a member of the First Congregational Church of Milford where she taught Sunday School and served as church clerk for many years. Fern will also be remembered for her many crocheted and knitted dolls and toys she made for the church fairs. In 1947 Fern married Wayne Barker. She was predeceased by her husband in 2010. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Aubrey, Merle and Russell Burse and sisters Pearl Gorman, Glenys Nason and Greta Beek. Fern is survived by her children Dale Barker of Milford, Faye Brown and her husband Edward of Milford, Janet Davis and her husband Donald of Saco and Kathryn Heinonen and her husband Charles of Bangor. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Susan Keel and husband Scott, Bryan Steele II and wife Natasha, Johanna DiCianni and husband Matthew, Kendra and Mallory Brown and Kelly and Elizabeth Heinonen. Fern is survived by three great grandchildren, Nathan and Caleb Keel and Addison DiCianni. Other survivors include a brother-in-law Floyd Barker of New Hampshire and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, May 26 at the First Congregational Church of Milford with Rev. Guy Grube and Pastor Karen Dresser officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Care of Maine, Health Care Charities, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931 or to The First Congregational Church of Milford, P.O. Box 387, Milford, ME 04461. Notes of condolences may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com