Linda L Barkley

Linda L. Barkley, 86, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away Saturday July 13, 2024 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 24, 1938 in Mercer County Ohio to the late Carl J. Smalley and the late Alice F. (Smith) Smalley.

Linda was united in marriage to the late Donald C. Barkley on October 24, 1958 in Berne, Indiana.

She was a member of Mt. Zion United Brethren Church.

She was employed with Gerber’s Supermarket where she worked in the deli and bakery department and retired in 2010. She was known as the cookie lady because she was an excellent baker. She was also a skilled seamstress and flower gardener. She was an excellent mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Alice McCauley of Paulding, Ohio; two sons, Perry D. Barkley of Decatur, Indiana and Jerry T. (Sheree) Barkley of Berne, Indiana; two sisters, Julie (Van Riley) Long of Rockford, Ohio and Susan “Jane” Kuhn, of Celina, Ohio; three brothers, Tom (Debby) Smalley of Celina, Ohio, Guy Junior (Connie) Brigner of Berne, Indiana, and Melvin Mac (Debbie) Brigner of Payne, Ohio; brother-in-law, Elmer Roehm of Willshire, Ohio; three grandchildren, Carla (Brian) Morris, Cory Hileman, and Grace Barkley; three great- grandchildren, Keller (Samantha Proxmire) Morris and Frank Morris; one great- great- granddaughter, Opal Rose Morris.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her step-mother, Bessie M. (McAfee) (Brigner) Smalley; sisters, Ruth Ann Roehm and Margaret (Arnold) Hill ; brother, Hugh Thomas; brother-in-law, Gerald Kuhn; sister-in-law, JoAnn Brigner.

A Memorial Service for Linda will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday July 18, 2024 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, with Pastor Ernie Suman officiating. A burial will be held at a later date at the Mohr Cemetery in Rural Van Wert, Ohio.

Friends and family will be received on  Wednesday July 17, 2024 from 5-8 p.m. at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana and one prior to services Thursday also at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be given to Mt. Zion United Brethren Church or Donor’s Choice.