Obituary of Edna V Barker

Edna Vivian (Alling) Barker, 93 of Woodland Park, passed away on July 7, 2016 with her family by her side. Edna was born in Newark NJ, March 26, 1923 to the late Rollo and Victoria Alling. Edna and her young family moved to West Paterson 1953. Edna always endeavored to serve others. Active in many community organizations, she was a volunteer organizer of in-school savings accounts for WP students in the 1950’s. She was the Borough’s first female Police Marshal appointed in 1954. She served as a cub scout and girl scout leader for her children. She was the organizer and first President of the West Paterson Boy’s Club Women’s Auxiliary, past member of the Women’s Auxiliary VFW Post 5084, formerly an active member in the WP Seniors and a Parishioner of St. Bonaventure’s Church. Edna served the community as the West Paterson Welfare Director for 18 years and was a past member of the Board of Health. In addition to those responsibilities, for decades she coordinated clothing donations from WP residents benefiting Father English Center. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Raymond H Barker Sr., daughter Vicky De Block and her husband Jim, grandchildren Heather Melrose and her husband James, Dr. Holly Barker, Robert De Block and his wife Reneé, Victoria Bonaccorso and her husband Francis and Rollo Barker. She was the treasured great grandmother to Kala Zahn, Joseph and Benjamin Melrose, Joseph Bonaccorso and Julia De Block. She was predeceased by her two cherished sons, Col. Raymond H Barker, Jr and Thomas Barker. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at Santangelo Funeral Home, 635 McBride Ave., Woodland Park, NJ. A funeral Mass will be offered on Monday at St. Bonaventure Church at 10:15am. Guests may arrive at the funeral home at 9:15am. Cremation will be private by the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org/donate