Hugh "Al" Barker

Hugh "Al" Barker, 92, of Plainfield, passed away January 29, 2018. He was born November 26, 1925 to the late George C. and Minerva S. (Register) Barker in Stillwater, MN. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and a POW, captured at the Battle of the Bulge. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with Summa Cum Laude honors in 1949. Al worked for Public Service Indiana for over 29 years, retiring in 1987 as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was a member of the Indiana Academy and served on the board of directors for AFNB. He also was on the committee that raised the initial funds for Hendricks County Hospital. After retirement, Al became very interested in mentoring young men who had not been well fathered. He also became very involved in Prison Ministry, beginning with the Boys' School. In fact, in 2011, the Optimist Club dedicated the Al and Jan Barker Sports Complex in Plainfield on the land out in front of the old Boys' School. He became quite a student of Chuck Colson's writings and an active minister with Prison Fellowship. Later, he also joined Kairos prison ministry and participated in many weekend Kairos programs in local prisons. His memberships included the Plainfield Elks Club, Special Olympics, Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Minnesota, Trustee Emeritus at Butler University, Director of Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and the Plainfield United Methodist Church. Al is survived by his daughter, Pamela Barker Tiernan; two granddaughters, Claire Barker Tiernan and Evangeline Grace Tiernan; and Grace's two boys, his great grandsons, Aiden and Theo; and a sister, Carol Ann Norris. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet M. Barker; three brothers, Oren Phillip, George R. and Richard A. Barker and a sister, Susan M. Barker. Services will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 1:00 pm in the Plainfield United Methodist Church, 600 Simmons St., Plainfield, with calling one hour prior to services and with a visitation to follow the service until 4:00 pm. He will be laid to rest, with military honors, at Maple Hill Cemetery, Plainfield. Contributions may be made to Prison Fellowship, P.O. Box 1550, Merrifield, VA 22166-1550 (www.prisonfellowship.org). Arrangements by Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield. www.hamptongentry.com