Edwin J. “Ed” Barber, 85, Iola, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at his home.
Ed was born Oct. 4, 1929, in Long Beach, Calif., the son of James H. “Bud” and Ruth (Rogers) Barber. The family returned to Kansas when he was a young child. He attended school in Howard, and graduated from Howard High School in 1947. Ed received a degree in secondary education from The College of Emporia in 1951 and moved to Iola to teach seventh-grade health and eighth-grade history at Iola Middle School. After 13 years of teaching he changed vocations and became a dry wall and painting contractor.
Ed was married to Jean Marie Staley on May 28, 1949, in Howard, and they had three children. They were later divorced. In April 1987 he married Linda Long Hamilton.
Ed loved the outdoors and spent time bird watching, gardening, hunting and fishing. He was active in sports and during his senior year of high school was on the championship football and basketball teams.
Wife Linda survives, as do a son, Barry Barber and wife Nadine, Winfield; two daughters, Brenda Bumgardner, Iola, and Belinda Bertoncino, Maricopa, Ariz.; three stepsons, Barry Hamilton, Iola, Marc Hamilton, Fort Myers, Fla., and Travis Hamilton and wife Carol, Fort Myers; a stepdaughter, Angie Walters and husband Kevin, Chanute; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard, and a grandson, Dustin Hamilton.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel. There will be a time for visitation immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF).
To sign the guestbook online or to leave a condolence go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Ed Barber
