Joyce Elizabeth Barker

Joyce E. Barker, age 78, of Delaware, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, surrounded by her family.

She was born on March 8, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio to the late William P. and Ruth S. (Plummer) Irwin. She was a 1965 graduate of Buckeye Valley High School. Joyce went on to earn her Bachelors Degree in English & Speech Education, with a minor in French, from The Ohio State University. She also earned a Master's in Education degree from Ashland University.

Joyce spent her career as a teacher beginning at Mt. Gilead High School. There she taught speech, French, and directed the school plays. She then started teaching at Big Walnut Schools, where she spent the rest of her career. She began as a high school English teacher and also directed plays. Soon after, she moved to Big Walnut Middle School where she finished out her career as a 7th grade language arts teacher, a coach, and an athletic director. She also helped start the middle school girls volleyball program and coached middle school track. During her time as athletic director, she introduced several new sports programs. She was proudly inducted into the Big Walnut Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Always a caring and helpful person, Joyce's door was always open to anyone who needed a hand. She enjoyed sports, especially watching the Ohio State Buckeyes, doing crosswords, playing sudoku, bowling, and reading. She also helped plan class reunions and enjoyed catching up with old friends as a member of the Class of '65 Lunch Bunch. Joyce was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Following retirement, Joyce enjoyed traveling with her sister Joedy. They took riverboat cruises up and down the Mississippi River, and took a sight seeing road trip from Ohio to California and back. The two of them were affectionately known by their family as "Thelma and Louise."

Joyce's greatest pride and pleasure came from the time spent with her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

"Hardworking", "Caring", "Dedicated", and "Loving" are words that only scratch the surface of who Joyce was as a person. She will be forever missed.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her sister, Johanna (Bill) Tomecko.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Craig (Stephanie) Miley, daughter, Cheryl (Luke) Wimmers, grandchildren: Alyssa, Noah, Harper, Sarah, Gabby, Justin, and Brynn.

Friends may call Monday, September 22, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Snyder Funeral Center, 101 Valleyside Dr. at W. William St., Delaware, Ohio 43015, where services will follow at 6 p.m.

Following cremation, a private graveside service will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Autism Speaks by following the link here: https://www.autismspeaks.org/

The Snyder Funeral Homes, Delaware Chapel is honored to serve the Barker family in their time of need.