Delbert “Del” Mervin Barber, age 97, died peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Saint Clair, Missouri. 

Del and his twin sister Della were born on December 20, 1927, in Garden Grove, Iowa.  He married his wife Patricia “Pat” Ann Barber (Forker) on January 12, 1952 in Newton, Iowa.  They had three children (Sherry, Randy, and Joan) that they loved dearly.  Del and Pat were dedicated members of the Selmore Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri.

Del was a farmer and worked at the Co-Op as an Agricultural Advisor for farmers.  He also served in World War II as a Soldier in the United States Army.  Del and Pat retired from farming in their mid-40’s where they explored the country in their motorhome.  They both highly enjoyed this season of their lives as they experienced new adventures while also visiting family and friends on their journeys. 

Del was a true believer in embracing life’s joys.  His interests were riding his Sea-Doo at the lake, four-wheeling, playing card and board games with family and friends, dancing, bird watching, gardening, and spending time with his cats.  He was also a skilled carpenter and pool player.  

Del’s grandchildren visited his home, when they were young children, almost every summer where he would make them homemade milkshakes every night, gave them tractor rides, took them swimming and fishing at the pond, pushed them on the tire swing, and took them shopping at the mall in Des Moines, Iowa.  Grandpa Del cherished his grandchildren deeply, his love for them was boundless and unwavering.

Del is survived by his two daughters Sherry Boden, Joan Detweiler and husband John; his daughter-in-law Marilyn Barber (widow of son Randy Barber); grandchildren Gretchen van Eeghen and husband Ernst, Ryan Barber and wife Amber, Melonie White and husband Greg, Toni Savely, Shawn Boden, Lane Heaton and wife Nicole, Jennifer Patterson and husband Danny, Tandy Barber, and Marisa Crossland; great-grandchildren Kyndal White, his wife Victoria, and their two daughters, Ashlynn White, Lleyton Barber, Braeden Barber, Connor Savely, Ella van Eeghen, Emily van Eeghen, Cate Heaton, Conner Patterson, and Maren Heaton; and his siblings Dorothy Yost, Gaynell Moore, Lawrence “Larry” Barber, Susan Giffin, and Kevin Barber.

Del was preceded in death by his wife, Pat Barber, their son Randy Barber, their granddaughter Sara Boden, and their great-grandson Sam van Eeghen; Del’s parents Maggie M. Houdesheldt and Wayne M. Barber; and his siblings Glendoris Barber, Della Patterson (twin), Delane Overton, Donald Barber, Fletta Diamond, Robert “Bob” Bloom, Erma Means, and Karen O’Hara.

Funeral services for Del will be 3:00 pm Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East 3540 East Seminole Springfield, Missouri 65809. Visitation will be at 2:00 pm prior to the service.

The family would appreciate donations, to the Selmore Baptist Church, to support the church’s elder care and other community programs at https://www.selmorebaptist.com/.  The Selmore Baptist Church community provided a generous amount of time and resources, for Del and Pat, during their elderly years.