Merl Barker

WATERFORD — Merl Franklin Barker, 78, of Waterford, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at Bridgton Hospital.
The son of the late Edwin and Ruby (Decker) Barker, he was born in Bridgton, on November 22, 1936. He graduated from Bridgton High School in 1955. Merl was a jack-of-all-trades, from his early days as a Bridgton paperboy, to his years spent working at various lumber yards, his years at N. T. Fox and Brill’s being the most notable.
In October of 1959, Merl married his true love, Eva Millett. Together for 55 years, they created many, many memories in the house “on the hill” that he built for them. He was fond of taking trips to the ocean, as well as venturing out on scenic Sunday drives with his wife, sometimes with a map and sometimes without. Helping others was important to Merl, as he always made it a point to donate blood to the Red Cross, and he volunteered his service for many years as an EMT for Stoneham Rescue. He loved hunting and looked forward to the month of November. He was an avid sports fan, the Patriots and Red Sox being his favorite teams. He enjoyed crosswords, cryptoquips, puzzles and John Grisham novels. Merl always had a story and he loved telling them. There were many times in his life that Merl took pride and joy in, but one of his biggest joys was spending time with his family.
Merl is survived by his loving wife, Eva Barker; his three children, Dale Barker and wife Sue of Waterford, Richard E. Barker and wife Tish of Waterford, and Debra Cash and husband Bob of Thaxton, Va.; his grandchildren, Shana, Angela and husband Jason, Elizabeth, Shane, Richard L. and wife Teresa, William and wife Naomi, and Julia and fiancé Matt; his great-grandchildren, Aden, Kaleb, Sophie, Heather, Ketallei, Lucy, Addie, Decker, Christopher and Brayden; his sister Ruth Lawrence of West Paris; his brother Richard S. Barker and wife Hilda of Casco; a sister-in-law Edeena Barker of Auburn; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his father and mother; and three brothers, Lewis, Earl and Raymond.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff at Bridgton Hospital for the exceptional care and support they provided. The Barkers would also like to express a very special thank you to Pastor Adam of the Norway Baptist Church for being very “useful.”
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13, at 2 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Merl’s memory to the Norway Baptist Church, 12 Cottage St., Norway, ME 04268. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com