Richard Dale Barkley passed away the morning of Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Services will be held Friday, January 11, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at Baxter Funeral Home, 375 West Dickman Road, Battle Creek, Michigan. There will also be a graveside service at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. There will be a reception afterwards at Creek Valley Mobile Home Park, 70 Creek Valley Circle, Battle Creek.
Richard (Dick) was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Carroal and Norine Barkley on November 1, 1937. Divorced when Richard was very young, Carroal remarried, and he and new stepmother Erma raised their son in a loving home alongside older step brothers James and Ralph Lewallen. Always a rambunctious boy, Dick nearly died at the age of eight when he fell through the ice of Mill Pond. He was saved by a passing truck driver, Milton Reese, who received a hero's commendation for his actions. In 1954, Richard left school in the 11th grade at Battle Creek Central High School to join the United States Navy. Stationed at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, during the Korean War, he worked as a repairman on Curtiss P-40 Warbirds and other naval aircraft, forming a lifelong love for both aviation and machine work.
After a few adventures, Richard returned home to Battle Creek, where he met his soulmate, Jeanette Button. With good friend Bill Drake standing by his side, Richard and Jeanette married on October 10, 1959 and were soon blessed with a son, Tony. Another son, Terry, and a daughter, Dawn, followed. Longtime foster parents, the couple adopted Franklin to complete their family. Dick loved traveling with his family; from the UP of Michigan to the amusement parks of Ohio to the nation's capital, he enjoyed time spent with his kids. Richard worked for 27 years as a machinist until health issues forced his retirement. The family has attended Springfield Assembly of God since 1966, where Dick sang and played the trombone. Wanting to make up for leaving school early, Richard returned to school and earned his diploma in 1978. With good friend Milton Barlond, he instilled in his family a love of water sports, especially water skiing. Along with water sports, Richard was an avid golfer and bowler, and he enjoyed playing games with friends and family.. He was a lifelong University of Michigan football fan, always cheering on the Wolverines. He also loved his dogs, owning several over the years.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Ralph Lewallen. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, his brother, James Lewallen, his sisters, Barbara Barkley and Beverly Barkley Rodriguez, his sons, Tony, Terry, and Franklin Barkley, daughter, Dawn Barkley Chaffin, 11 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations to the widow. . Arrangements by the BAXTER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE. (269)788-9800 www.baxterfuneral.com

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