Francis (Frank) Barber 7/24/27-7/3/2021 Midland, MI, 93 passed away peacefully at his home.
Frank was born the son of the late Francis C and Ethel (Purdy) Barber on Jul 24, 1927 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was the oldest of three children, brother, Don Barber (deceased) and Carol (Dick) Newville of Irons, MI. He spent most of his life in the Auburn area. Frank attended Creston High School in grand Rapids, served in the US Navy, Grand Rapids junior college and ultimately graduated from the University of Michigan where he received a degree in chemical engineering. He spent his early years working in Texas and New York City and then in Midland Michigan where he worked for the Dow Chemical Company for 37 years. He spent his retirement years repairing and reconditioning old farm tractors, doing home repairs, enjoying his family and working in his spotless garden. He was also an avid U of M fan.
Frank was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Fisherville and later St Gabriels in Auburn where he belonged to the choir and visited the sick. He was also a long standing member of the Knights of Columbus. On May 1, 1954 he married RoseAnn (Shea) in Gladwin, MI. They recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Frank is survived by his wife and seven children, Karen (Dan) Koehler, Mary Ann Smith, Dorothy (Kelly) Stradinger, Janet (Tim) Foor, Cathy (Jim) Marker, Chuck (Connie) Barber, Patty (Bryan) Schwab, twenty two grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, sister an dbrother in laws, Donna and Ron Thomson, Betty Shea, and Jake Vitkuske and many, many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will take place at 22 am on Thu, Jul 8, 2021 at St Gabriel Parish (East Campus-Auburn) Rev. Fr. Thomas E. Sutton will officiate with military burial to follow accorded by th eBay Area Veterans in St. Anthony Cemetery in Fisherville. The family will be present to receive friends and family at the Auburn Chapel of the Cunningham-Taylor Funeral Home, Inc on Jul 7 between 4-8 pm. On Thursday morning Frank will lie in state at the church from 10 am until time of mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy, please consider a memorial contribution to St Gabriel Parish (Auburn) or a charity of your choice in memory of Frank.
- Midland Daily News