Duane Barker

Duane M. ”Whitey” Barker, 73, of Elgin, Iowa passed away Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Duane Merlin, the son of Robert Eldon and Violet Grace (Ruroden) Barker, was born October 29, 1942 in Elgin, Iowa. 

He attended the Elgin Elementary School and graduated from Valley High School in 1960. 

He joined the National Guard while attending High School and served until being honorably discharged on February 19, 1964. 

Duane was united in marriage with Gloria Hyde on November 2, 1963 at the West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa.

Duane lived in Elgin his entire life. He started working for John Falb and Sons at the age of 16, cleaning cars and eventually being promoted to bodywork.  In 1969, he worked for Gene O’Donnell and Standard Oil delivering LP gas and then worked for Lyle Medberry as an electrician.  He became the manager of Hydrogas LP and Convenience Store and purchased the convenience store in December of 1988.  Whitey retired in November of 2010.

Whitey was a member of the Elgin Lutheran Church, the Elgin Jaycees, and he was a member of the Elgin Fire Department for 25 years.

Whitey enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; spending time at the Mississippi River, fishing and boating; birdwatching, especially eagles; cooking and grilling; and working on things. He was a racing and sports fan, especially the Chicago Bears and the Iowa Hawkeyes; and he loved to hunt and dance.

Whitey is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gloria, of Elgin, Iowa; his son and daughter-in-law, Gregg and Joyce Barker of Hammond, Wis.; three grandchildren, Hannah Sturtz of Wickenburg, Ariz.; and Morgan and Mason Barker of Hammond, Wis.; a grandcat, Murphy; five sisters, Roberta (Elwood) Kuhens of Apache Junction, Ariz.; Sheila (Phil) Solheim of Clermont; Rosemary (Roger) Thomas of Elkader; Diana (Dean) Jennings of Tacoma, Wash.; and Cynthia Corbin of Elgin; one sister-in-law, Glenda Hyde of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

Whitey was preceded in death by his parents; one nephew, Darin Solheim; and a brother-in-law, Gary Hyde.

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 at the Elgin Lutheran Church in Elgin, Iowa. Pastor Rusty Phillips was the officiant.

Visitation was held from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elgin, and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.

A Private Family Inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Elgin handled the arrangements for the family.

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