Dale E. Barker

DALE E. BARKER 1953-2026

 On Thursday July 23rd, Dale Barker, 72, of Toledo OH (formerly of Petersburg, MI) was escorted across the rainbow bridge by his dog Murphee. Dale’s favorite place was anywhere with animals that he could pet and there is no better place for him to call his forever home. He passed away surrounded by loved ones following a cardiac incident.

 Dale was born in Kankakee, IL on December 30th, 1953, to Carroll and Kathryn -(Moorehouse) Barker. His father was an executive at Ford and moved the family to Petersburg, MI, where Dale attended Summerfield HS and graduated in 1973.

 A man of diverse skillsets, Dale worked in many occupations throughout his life – from factory work to security to cable installation. He installed invisible fencing and finished his work life as a fire suppression inspector. He had many health issues in his life and retired early.

 Dale was a great father, stepfather, and the best owner an animal could ask for, with a great number of dogs and cats in his lifetime. Murphee was his final dog and his favorite. (Don’t tell Murphee, but they were all his favorite.) A naturally curious tinkerer and woodworker, the smell of cigar smoke from his workshop was a foolproof indicator that a project was in progress.

 Dale was preceded in death by his parents Carroll Taylor Barker and Kathryn Barker, his brother Michael Barker, and daughter Sarah (Barker) Semrad. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Linda, sister Dawn (George) Lada, sister-in-law Fran Barker, son Devon (Erin) Barker, stepson Edmond Burgess (Jamie Van Natta), grandchildren Abby and Robert Semrad, and “glamdaughters” Aaralyn and Layla, and many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by all 9 cats, who shall not be named.

 Visitation will be on Wednesday July 29, 2026, in the Urbanski Funeral Home a Life Celebration Home 5055 Secor Rd Toledo, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be Thursday July 30, 2026, in St. Clement Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. where the funeral mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment services at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter of Toledo, or any animal rescue of your choice.