Earl (Gene) Eugene Barber, 70, passed away Wednesday, November 3rd at Morrison Woods Nursing Home following an extended illness. He was born December 8, 1939 in Deshler, Ohio, the son of Earl and Mary Barber. He moved to Muncie, with his family, as a child. Gene graduated from Yorktown High School in 1957 and Ball State University in 1962. Beginning his career as an educator, Gene taught Industrial Technology at Fort Wayne Southside, and then later at Muncie Southside. After leaving education and entering the business world, Gene held various positions with General Motors prior to attending Asbury Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity. As the pastor of two churches, Gene touched many lives, yet once again he was called to the world of business. After working at Borg Warner, he started his own consulting business, which he continued until retirement.
Gene was an active member of Gethsemane Methodist Church and was involved in various leadership roles. Most recently he worked with several other Gethsemane members, planning the future growth of the church he loved and served for so many years. Gene enjoyed fishing, boating, and visiting with his family at their lake home on Dallas Lake. In recent years, he and his wife spent winters at their home in Wildwood, FL. Gene gathered once a month with his friends from high school and enjoyed the camaraderie of his high school classmates.
Survivors include his wife, of 50 years, Sandy; his three children Steve Barber (wife Lynn), Eaton; Amy Barber, Louisville, KY; Dana Townsend, Muncie; five grandchildren, Kristan Townsend, Kasi Townsend, Drew Townsend; Lauren Foster and Mason Barber, all of the Muncie area and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Rose Davis (husband Glen) and Anna Bickel (husband Dean) and several nieces and nephews ; his mother-in-law, Jean Reese; and two sister-in-laws Mary Alice Beaty (husband Dave); and Judy Valos (husband Dick.) Gene also is survived by a group of life-time friends, especially Larry and Janet Spangler, Larry and Pat Hargis, and Joe and Barb Williamson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mary Barber; two brothers, Glynn and Jerry; twin grandchildren, Reed and Rae Ann Barber; a nephew, Jerry Barber, and his father-in law, Fred Reese.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday November 6, 2010 at Gethsemane United Methodist 1201 W. McGalliard Muncie, IN 47342. Pastor Bill Dunfee will officiate the service. Burial will follow at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Muncie. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Garden View Funeral Home 10501 North State Road 3 Muncie, IN and also from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the building fund of Gethsemane Methodist Church.
If you would like to sign the online guest book and send condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com