Wanda Barker

Wanda Lavonne Barker, 81, of Franklin went to be with her Lord and Savior after a courageous battle with cancer at the home of her daughter and surrounded by her loving family at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012.

Born at her family?s home in Bradleytown on September 10, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Anna Mary Heilig-McCandless.

She was a 1948 graduate of Rocky Grove High School. For 60 plus years, Wanda participated in a card club with her fellow classmates, a pastime she truly enjoyed.

On October 6, 1947, she married the love of her life, Herbert L. Barker Jr., who preceded her in death on March 30, 1996, after almost 49 years of marriage.

Wanda worked for 28 years as the manager of the Snack Shop at the former Franklin Hospital, where many of her granddaughters volunteered alongside her.

Wanda was a faithful member of the Open Door Baptist Church for 22 years and also taught Junior Church for many years with her late husband at the Fox Street Church of God.

An avid traveler, Wanda saw much of the world with her husband and family and also enjoyed the winters in Florida at a home she shared with her husband and later her sister, Dawnice.

She was a volunteer at the Barrow Civic Theater and was a member of the Oil Valley Chapter of the Sweet Adeline?s for 17 years, where her beautiful voice was showcased.

She was active in the community with the Junior Women?s League of Rocky Grove, the Rocky Grove PTA, and the Prom to Dawn Committee.

Wanda was a loving, caring, and devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She was well known for never missing a birthday, anniversary, or holiday occasion or card to her family and friends. She was very grateful for life and those around her and always had a smile on her face. Those who knew her were touched by her genuine love and constant generosity. Her family is proud and truly grateful to be descendants of such an amazing woman. Words alone cannot truly express their love and loss.

She is survived and greatly missed by her loving family: Five daughters and spouses ? Cheryl and James Brickner of Franklin, Bonnie and George Brickner of Oil City, Debra Rice of Bedford, Renee Kachik & Partner Richard Hayden of Guys Mills, and Cindy and Terry Foster of Franklin

Twenty-two grandchildren?Lori (Rob) Huber, Cris (Dana) Brickner, Herbert Brickner, A. Joseph (Deana) Brickner, Suzette (Darrin) Troutman, Jennifer (Steven) Hanlon, Andrew Kachik, Jody (Joshua) Welton, Stacy Rice, Terry (Tanya) Foster, Michael (Manda) Kachik, Alisha (Joshua) Johnson, Stephanie (Daniel) Gricks, LeRoy (Sarah) Foster, Todd Kachik, Blane Brickner, Joshua (Tammy) Kachik, Krystal Tenny, Benjamin Kachik, Sherry Foster, Pamela (James) Zakostelecky, and Alyssa Miller

Forty-six great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and her two sisters, Ruth Proper of Titusville and Dawnice Umstead of Franklin.

In addition to her parents and husband, Wanda was preceded in death by her three sisters, Darathea White, Eleanor McCandless, Geraldine Kurtich, and four brothers, Albert (Abe) McCandless, Harold McCandless, Willis McCandless, and Johnny McCandless.

The family is very grateful for the care Wanda received from her doctors and the VNA Hospice.

Family and friends will be received Tuesday, February 21 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Huff Chapel Inc., 312 West Park St., Franklin, PA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22 at Galloway United Methodist Church, 196 Seysler Road, Franklin, PA 16323 with the Rev. James Waugh, officiating.

Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens.