John C. Barker

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, John Charles Barker, 77, passed away October 7, 2026 from complications of lung cancer.

John was born in East Liverpool, Ohio to Marialice and Charles Barker. The family lived in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and finally Carrollton, Ohio. He graduated from Kent State University in 1972 with a business degree specializing in transportation. He went from a kid whose guidance counselor said was not college material to a young man on the Dean's List, the recipient of a scholarship, who sometimes worked two jobs in the summer to pay for the rest of his schooling.

It was at Kent that he met the love of his life, Roseanne. They married in Lewiston, New York, and were lucky to have 52 wonderful years together. There were hills to climb, but much more laughter and joy than sorrow and pain. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, Christine and Amanda, John's proudest accomplishment. Their family grew with the addition of two devoted sons-in-law, Jason and Scott, and three adored grandchildren, Cori, Libby and Will.

After college, John worked at PIE Trucking in Akron, Ohio, and two years later joined Roadway Express, where he had a distinguished career for 34 years. He became the youngest relay manager at the company's largest terminal, Toledo, supervising over 300 drivers. He later went into Labor Relations, traveling all over the country to hear labor cases. Finding retirement not to his liking, he went back to work full time for ABF Trucking for several years, and then did consulting for a number more. He was well respected throughout the trucking industry, considered tough, but always fair. While relay manager, some of his employees wanted to nominate him for a company award, but were told that it was only for union employees. Undeterred, they made up their own award and surprised him with a limousine and a banquet at Mancy's Steakhouse. He was humbled and so embarrassed.

John was a member of Phoenix Masonic Lodge 123, where he was past Worshipful Master, the Maumee Elks Club, Belmont Country Club and First Church Perrysburg. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the Perrysburg Christians United Food Pantry. He loved fishing and taking day trips in his Corvette. Spending time in Maine every fall for the past 23 years with Roseanne, hiking and biking Acadia National Park with side trips to Vermont, New Hampshire and the New York Finger Lakes was an important part of his life. For over 40 years he looked forward every year to family vacations at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, that often included cherished extended family, as well as his much loved immediate family.

John came from a loving family, and he created a loving family. He was kind, brave, strong, generous and modest to a fault. He would have hated this obituary because it was too much about him. His main purpose in life was to be a good provider for his family, and he was that and more. He was the best of the best. In his final struggle in life, he never complained and never asked why me. In his darkest days, he found joy in the love of his children, the smiles and accomplishments of his grandchildren, the care and devotion of his wife and the support of his friends.

He is survived by his wife Roseanne, his daughters Christine (Jason) Bouck and Amanda (Scott) Graven, grandchildren Cori Bouck, Libby Graven and Will Graven, brother Joseph (Debbie) Barker, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Marialice and Chuck, his in-laws Betty and Richard R. Hall, brother-in-law Richard M. Hall and nephew Michael Hall.

The family would like to thank the Ren Sixth Floor nursing staff and doctors at ProMedica Toledo Hospital and the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Perrysburg who cared for John in the final days of his life with skill, compassion and grace.

A celebration of life will take place on November 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Perrysburg First Church with a reception to follow at Belmont Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Shriners Hospital for Children or Perrysburg First Church.