Norma J. (Moats) Barker

Hanoverton-Norma J. (Moats) Barker, 86, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 26, 2026 at her home following a lengthy illness.

Norma was born November 9, 1939 in Kensington, Ohio, a daughter of the late Alvin Amelung and the late Vivian (Laskley) Merriman and had lived in the area all of her life.

A 1959 graduate of Minerva High School, she was a loving wife and mother, who created a loving home for her husband and her children.  She loved being near or on the water, whether it be Lake Erie, Guilford Lake, or the Ohio River, Norma loved the water.  She enjoyed boating, cruising, or just going fishing.  Norma was also an avid bowler and she enjoyed singing.  She loved rock music and Karaoke and even made her own Karaoke tapes of her playing and singing, Blondie and Annie Lennox were of few of her favorites. Norma was a faithful Christian and knew her Bible well.  She was a long-time member of the Hanoverton Church of Christ with her late husband, Jim and was a Deacon’s wife, but was currently attending at the Beaver Street Church of Christ in Lisbon.  Norma enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, like a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar, with Almonds.

She is survived and will be dearly remembered by her husband, Walter Lynn Barker, whom she married November 13, 2021.  She also leaves her children, Rickie Moats, Vickie Moats, and Rodney (Roberta) Moats; brother, Richard (Neva) Amelung; grandchildren, Christina, Brianna, Tyler, and Travis; and great grandchildren, Eless and Parker.

In addition to her parents, Norma was also preceded in death by her first husband, James O. “Jim’ Moats, whom she married February 9, 1961, on January 13, 2021; and by her sister, Shirley Kreps.

A memorial service celebrating Norma’s life will be held at 1pm, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Hanoverton Church of Christ, 9833 State Route 9, Hanoverton, Ohio 44423 with her husband, Walter Lynn Barker officiating.

The family will receive guests from noon until the time of services at the Church on Saturday.

The Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made in Norma’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Friends may also view Norma’s memorial tribute page, share a memory and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma J. (Moats) Barker, please visit our floral store.