Coleman Jacob "Cole" Barker

SIOUX CITY -- Coleman Jacob Barker, 26, of Sioux City passed into glory on May 5, 2010 at his home comforted by his parents and his brother Ceith Alan. Cole held at bay a glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer for five amazing years after the initial surgery in 2004, that took the better part of his right frontal lobe. Against all odds, Cole was still Cole and returned to Notre Dame in 2005, completing his degree with a double major in premed and philosophy.
Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Craig Collison officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. The vigil service is casual, wear Notre Dame stuff if ya got em. Arrangements are under the direction of Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to www.christysmith.com .
Coleman was born June 15, 1983. A devout Catholic, he was a proud member of the Sacred Heart Parish, where he was a student, altar boy, usher and Knights of Columbus brother. Coleman graduated from Bishop Heelan High as a salutatorian, where he was active in band, show choir, debate, football, track, Right to Life (officer), National Honor Society, Rotary Club Student of the Month, choral, etc., and the "Two Cole Rule" in class.
In 2001, he entered his beloved University of Notre Dame, where he lived every moment to the fullest, quarterbacking interhall (O'Neil) football games (Peyton), rooming with his pal Keith Harwood, working at the south dining hall, involved in Diversity Club with Dr. David Moss, and most especially singing in the Notre Dame Men's Glee Club lead by Daniel Stowe. The Glee Club took Cole and his brothers, notably Coop and Javier, all over the world. He most cherished singing at the Joyce Center, tailgating, and the ND football games. He was carried through his illness by his Glee Club brothers and staff at the student affairs office, where he enjoyed working as well.
In 2006, Cole graduated with honors and was accepted into Indiana Medical School. He gave it his all. With resolute acceptance and unfailing optimism, Cole moved on to work for the Rev. Patrick at Notre Dame until the cancer came back with a vengeance in 2008. Cole dealt with the ever increasing limitations with humor and grace until the Lord called him home.
Cole touched and then left a hole in the hearts of many especially his dad, Randy; mom, Nancy; the bestest brother ever, Ceith Alan Barker; uncles, Roddy and Rory (Carol) Barker, Randy (Marilyn), Bobby (Malberta), Brad, Bruce aka "Unca Bru" Coleman; and aunt, Jackie (Lonny) Larson; godparents, Ronnie and Karen Smith; godsister, Kylie Marie; godchildren, Dorrie, Michael, Marcus Coleman Ausborn; special friend, Erin Peterson; and many loving cousins.
Gone before Cole to welcome him were his grandparents, Roy and Lois Barker, Neil and Margie Coleman; uncles, Ronnie (3), Glenn (19), Marty (21), Cory (27); aunt, Peggy Jane (21) Coleman; as well as numerous young cousins.
Pallbearers will be Ceith Barker, Brett Barker, Roy Barker II, Rhett Ruehle, Patrick Gill, and Anthony Ausborn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cole's name to Sacred Heart or Bishop Heelan Schools.