Cooksville – Charles E. Barker. 67, of Cooksville, passed away on May 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM at his residence.

Funeral will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 28, 2009 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax. Visitation will be from 4-7:00PM on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 also at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.

Chuck was born Feb. 5, 1942, the son of Jessie & Lucille Sears Barker. He began his schooling in a one room schoolhouse in Fletcher, moving on to Cooksville grade school, and graduation from Octavia High School. He married his high school sweetheart Sharon Caldwell on June 1, 1963 in Rock Island.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, son Terry (Teresa) of Cooksville, daughter Shelia of Farmer City; five grandchildren, Matt, Wayne, Kyle, Stephanie and Kelli, the granddaughters they raised for seven years, and one brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Carman, one sister and one brother.

Chuck was a truck driver for about 40 years, working for Nussbaum, Carter Lumber, and Williams National Lease, and a few others. He also farmed the family farm and raised purebred Dorset and Shropshere sheep. He and his family showed at many fairs locally and nationally. Chuck raced stock cars fro 20 years at Fairbury and Farmer City (which his son and grandson continued on). He was very proud of the IL Fatherhood Initiative essay contest that his and granddaughter Kelli won together. He was a member of the Union Church of Cooksville, McLean County Farm Bureau, Continental Dorset Club, Quality Sheep Breeders, and also a teamster.

The family wishes to thank Bromen n Hospice for their care.

Memorials may be made to BroMenn Hospice, Quality Sheep Breeders and Cooksville Union Church.