Von Barkley

A lifetime resident of the area, Von Barkley passed away at the Dundas Manor Nursing Home in Winchester, on Monday, July 6, 2015. She was 76.  

Von was born in Williamsburg Township, on May 12, 1939, to her parents Benjamin and Effie Barkley (nee Bowman).  

Family meant everything to Von and anyone who knew her well was made to feel like she was more like a second mom, grandma, aunt or sister.  She kept all of her friends close to her heart and treated them all like family. She was accepting to everyone, and made them all feel right at home. 

Her heart was big and she’d put her whole heart into everything she did.  

Von loved to bake. She was always making delicious pies, cakes and cookies to send to her family, friends and neighbours.   

A helpful person, she was always giving rides out town to those who didn’t have a car or license. 

She was there in whatever way anyone needed her. She even moved in with her neighbour Etta Weaver as a caregiver for a few years to help her out. Etta and Von quilted with some local ladies and Von did her cooking and her cleaning and helped her get around until she passed away. 

Von was the mail carrier for RR1 Williamsburg from the time she was 17 until she was 65. She would have kept working if it wasn’t for doctor’s orders telling her to quit. It broke her heart to have to give up her route. She loved getting to know everyone, and she looked forward to going to work every day.

Sometimes she allowed others to ride along on her mail route and she made them feel special because they were a part of her “pony express” as she would call it. 

Von was a Christian lady who loved God and her church family very much.

Von liked to have her fun too.  For years she gathered with friends at Marion Hall’s home in Glen Becker for their weekly euchre party and to catch up on the current events. She enjoyed going to all the small fairs to see the horse shows.  She liked being out and about, and socializing.  

Von was often the center of attention at the house parties. When her sons put the word out to stop in and have a drink, everyone would ask and hope that their mom would be there. 

She’d tell her stories, jokes, and one-liners and then get laughing her contagious laugh that would sometimes get out of control. She’d laugh until tears ran down her face.  She had an excellent sense of humour.

Von will be fondly remembered for her cheerful, kind nature and her beautiful smile.  She was an excellent mother to her three sons, and she will be sadly missed. 

Von is survived by her husband Richard Easton of Winchester, her sons Brian of Ault Island, Barry of R.R. #1 Williamsburg and Benjamin (Nancy) of Chesterville, her grandchildren Stephanie and Travis and her great-grandson Emmett.  

She was predeceased by her sister Hilda Hess and her brothers Ren and Ron Barkley.  She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from   2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 9th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Wendy Wright-MacKenzie officiating.  

Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.  Pallbearers were Richard Easton, Brian Barkley, Barry Barkley, Benjamin Barkley, Travis Tyo, Russell Garlough and Robert Whitteker.  

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.