Raymond “Butch” Leroy Barker Sr.
Raymond “Butch” Leroy Barker, Sr. of Tippecanoe, IN, and formerly from Syracuse, IN passed away on June 2, 2026 at the age of 80 from a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia.
Raymond was born on November 15, 1945, to Lester and Audrey Barker in Kosciusko County. Raymond graduated from South Whitley High School in 1965. He was an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life. He entered the trades as a Plumber and worked for Village Plumbing and Heating for over 40 years. Raymond served in the United States Air Force for four years and had many accolades for his work ethics and volunteerism.
Butch was blessed with a beautiful family. He was married to Virginia Reed and they had four wonderful children together- Catherine, Raymond, Maxwell, and Sarah. He was blessed with 3 beautiful grandchildren- Kevin and Crystal (Fitzpatrick) Olson, Joshua Olson and Eric and Gabby (Olson) Wright. He was also blessed with 4 awesome great grandchildren- Mackenzie, Kevin, and Zoey Olson and Maeve Wright.
Butch was a member of Post 253 American Legion in North Webster, IN. It was not uncommon to find him there on a Friday night having a cheeseburger and fries and singing/dancing to Karaoke. Raymond volunteered for church camp, VBS, and church missions and loved God with all his heart. He was also an honorary member of Akron/Mentone Kiwanis and enjoyed fellowshipping with the group and helping with Christmas Fruit Baskets. Butch spent a large portion of his life in service to others and for many years played Santa Claus in the Syracuse Community and for families.
Raymond was predeceased by his father, Lester Alan Barker Sr. and mother, Audrey (Brower) Barker; his son Raymond L. Barker, Jr and his wife, Virginia (Reed) Barker. He is survived by his daughter Cathy (husband, Dan) Olson, his son Max Barker; his daughter Sarah Sexton (husband Pat); his three grandchildren Kevin, Joshua, and Gabby; his four great grandchildren Mackenzie, Kevin, Zoey, and Maeve; and his siblings his sisters Patricia Schneider (husband, Jim), Dianna Prescott, Sandy Byrd, and brothers Lester Alan Barker (wife, Cindy) and Kevin Barker.
Visitation will be held from 2- 5 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Eastlund Funeral Home . Services will be held at Eastlund Funeral home on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 11 AM with Pastor Thomas Myers officiating. The burial will be at Syracuse Cemetery following the services. Flowers can be sent to Eastlund Funeral Home. Or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Magical Meadows, Bowling against Bullying, or Akron Mentone Kiwanis.