Jack was a retired mechanic working at Arch Mineral Captain Mine. He was a member of the Matthews Baptist Church. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Perry County Farm Bureau and was a former member of the DuQuoin Elks and DuQuoin American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

      He was born at Matthews on February 16, 1926, the son of John and Gladys (Mansker) Barber.

      He married Bernitta M. Ceto at Perry County in July 1947 and she survives.

      He is survived by his wife; one son, John D. Barber and wife, Connie, of Vergennes; one sister, Joann Porter of Pahrump, Nev.; and two grandchildren, Farrah J. Runge and husband, Aaron, and Larissa Barber.

      He was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Barber.

      Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 11, 2001, at the Searby Funeral Home in DuQuoin. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday at the Searby Funeral Home in DuQuoin. Interment will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at DuQuoin.