Judy Barker

West Cannon Baptist Church is going to livestream Judy's funeral. Please tell any family or friends who are out of town to go to www.westcannon.org at 11:00 am on Tuesday to watch the service. (Please Note, the music will be muted because of licensing) BARKER - Mrs. Judy E. Barker aged 74 of Comstock Park, went to be with her Lord, Friday, April 1, 2016. She was the fourth of six children born April 25, 1941 to Jim and Jeanette (Slanger) Shear. She grew up on the family farm on Knapp along with her two sisters and three brothers. She attended the Knapp's corner elementary school as a child and graduated from Creston High school. She attended Grand Rapids Junior College and earned a degree from Davenport College in Bookkeeping. Judy worked as a bookkeeper for Post Fixture Company for about 10 years and then for American Seating for over 20 years before retiring in 2002. She also volunteered her services as a bookkeeper to Silva Orchards and her church as treasurer for many years. As a teenager she began attending West Cannon Baptist Church with her brother Jack and his wife June. She trusted Christ as her savior shortly after she started attending there. While at West Cannon she became a part of the "Moffit Hill" gang, and met a young man, Max Judd Barker. Judd was a farmer that lived on Cannonsburg road, and they began dating. Judd and Judy were married on March 10, 1961. They purchased a house, and moved it from the corner of Michigan and Bradford all the way to the Barker family farm on Cannonsburg Road. They had two children, Brenda and Bruce in those first couple of years of marriage. While Judd continued to work the family farm, often Judy would help in the milk house, the fields and the orchards along with being the "lunch lady" at Cannonsburg elementary, and then working full time as their children began school. They also made many trips taking apples to market either in Grand Rapids or at the Detroit East Market. During that time Judd became very ill and Judy lost her husband in November of 1975 after a 4 year battle with colon and liver cancer. Judy has always been a pillar of faith and perseverance. After the death of her husband and three months later her father-in-law, she continued to work, manage the details of the farm, and be a parent to both of her children with the help of many dear friends and family. She also continued to serve in her local church. She especially loved to teach Sparks on Wednesday Nights in AWANA. She taught in AWANA for over 30 years. Judy also loved people. She was the one many turned to for advice, counsel, or just a listening ear. She had a unique quality of tender toughness that often drew people to her. She loved meeting people for dinner or going to coffee after church, and she especially enjoyed attending the "Jam Session" in Rockford. She was an avid game player and puzzler. She truly enjoyed the many evenings spent playing cards with the gang. One of her greatest joys was to spend time with her family and especially her six grandchildren. She would often babysit when they were young, and spent many days at school programs, graduations and sharing time with each one. She would make special plans just to share time with them. She also was one of the initiators for the extended Shear and Slanger family reunions and cookouts. She has been a beloved and faithful member of West Cannon Baptist Church for over 60 years and for many years a member of the Caleb's Kin Sunday School Class. They were a very special blessing to her providing rides to and from dialysis when she began that journey. Judy has seen God deliver her through many afflictions and sorrows, and she has remained faithful and steadfast until the end. For the last year, she has been battling a rare condition called calciphylaxis that only affects people with kidney failure. Last week she contracted a serious infection that entered her blood stream and then her bones and organs. She was in an extreme amount of pain as the result. As of Wednesday the doctors said there was no way to balance aggressive treatment with pain management and recommend hospice be called to help her manage the pain. On Friday, April, 1 just after noon, Judy's pain ended as she was ushered from suffering to glory and the presence of her Lord. The truth of Psalm 116 was evident "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." She slipped peacefully into heaven. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Judd Barker; brother, Joe Shear; sisters, Jean Boomers, Janet Byle; sister-in-law, June Shear; brothers-in-law, John Barker and Jim Barker. Surviving are her children, Brenda (Felipe) Ruiz, Bruce (Melissa) Barker; grandchildren, Olivia Ruiz, Diego Ruiz, Armando Ruiz, Sarah (Nathan) Goodson, Maxwell Barker, Cassia Barker; brothers, Jack (Ginger) Shear, Jerry (Kathy) Shear; sister-in-law, Alice Shear; brothers-in-law, Sy Byle, Jerry Boomers, Sr.; cousin, Sandie Hull; several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at West Cannon Baptist Church, 5760 Cannonsburg Rd. NE with Pastor Doug Crawford officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends Monday, April 4, 2016 from 5PM to 8PM at the Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Dr. N.E. and one hour prior to the service at church. Memorial contributions may be made to West Canon Baptist Church. To share a photo, memory and sign the family's online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Judy E. Barker please visit our Sympathy Store.