Elaine Ruth Barber

Elaine Barber,
Merrill, Michigan

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend passed away peacefully on November 13, 2020 at Merrill Fields Assisted Living at the age of 93 years. Elaine was born on October 3, 1927 to the late Joseph and Aleen (Emerich) Whelton in Saginaw, Michigan. She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Merrill, class of 1945. She later married Kenneth Barber on May 10, 1947; he predeceased her on February 20, 2008.

Elaine was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church (St. John XXIII Parish) and a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, gardening, bowling and playing Euchre.

Elaine is survived by her children Rick (Sandy) Barber, Debbie (Mike) Rigg, Kay Barber and Brenda (Doug) Francetic. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Barber, Jeffrey Barber, Amy Dittenber, Lori Burleigh, Shelly Hatterfley, Tony Francetic, Chris Francetic, twenty three great grandchildren and six great- great grandchildren. Her brother James Whelton also survives her.

She was predeceased by her siblings Robert Whelton, William Whelton, Virginia Turner and Mary Jo Tunney.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church (419 S. Midland road, Merrill). Father Steve Gavit will officiate. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Due to the world wide health pandemic, masks will be required and social distancing is encouraged. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Jonesfield- Lakefield Township Fire Department, Merrill District Library or St. John XXIII Parish