Sharon E. Barker, 75, Topeka, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.
She was born Aug. 17, 1943, at Wewoka, OK, the daughter of Robert and Nancy Heister Layton. Sharon graduated from Seminole, Oklahoma High School in 1961, attended Emporia State University, and graduated in 1982 from Washburn University with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education.
She retired from BCBS in Topeka as a customer service representative. She had worked as the high school secretary for USD 338 at Valley Falls, and as an administrative secretary at a bank at Horton.
In 1966, Sharon received a single engine plane pilot's license. She was employed by Security Benefit Life Insurance in Topeka, and was transferred to their branch office at Los Angeles, CA. She was a member of St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls.
Sharon married William Menzies Barker, Feb.7, 1969, at Topeka. He died April 1, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Laura Barker, Feb. 16, 2013, her parents, and her step-father, Allen Ballinger.
Survivors include her daughter, Heather Barker (Craig Tullis), Valley Falls; three sons, Robert (Kelly) Barker, Cleveland, OH, William B. Barker, Houston, TX, and Rodger Barker, Winchester; four grandchildren, Brandon, Dominique, Robert and Lily; a brother, Marc Ballinger, Pleasanton; and two sisters, Penny Layton, Garnett, and Vicki Reed, Waynesville, MO.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls. Burial will follow at the Valley Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shawnee-Jefferson County Meals on Wheels and sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.