Caitlyn "Caitie" Barker

Aubrey Caitlin Barker, 26, of Springfield, IL, formerly of Havana, IL, died at approximately 12:30 pm on Monday, September 12,2011. She died as a result of a traffic fatality at the intersection of Jefferson and Bruns Lane in Springfield. Caitie, which was what everyone called her, was born on January 17, 1985 to Colin and Shirley (Schmidt) Barker in Canton, IL. She is survived by her partner Patti Silva. Also surviving are her father Colin Barker of Havana; grandmother Mary Schmidt of Havana; two nephews Silas and Elijah Barker of Astoria; three aunts, Cheryl Vanlandingham of Washington, Helen (Dominic) Dalpoas of Lincoln, and Carol Schmidt of Havana; two uncles David (Cheryl) Schmidt of Enumclaw, Washington and Richard Schmidt of Havana; extended family of Daren and Becky Silva, DJ Silva, Jessica, Jeremy, Parker, and Eva Bonnett, Sam Silva and Ashley Miller; and too many friends and supporters to mention. She was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley Schmidt Barker, brothers, Gabriel and Zachary Barker, grandfathers Cap Schmidt and Vance Barker and paternal grandmother Mable Barker. Caitie attended Lincoln Land Community College's Culinary School. She was a chef at LaSorella restaurant in Springfield and was hired to create and manage the Springfield Supportive Living's food service department. She also taught culinary classes at LLCC's Culinary School. Caitie and Patti started renovating the old St. Nicholas Hotel's dining and kitchen area in the summer of 2007. "Caitie Girl's" restaurant was opened for business in December 2007. Her cuisine was eclectic and billed as "gourmet comfort food". She was famous for her mac-n-cheese and horseshoes. She was given numerous awards for her culinary creativity, the most recent being Springfield's "New and Emerging Business" award. Visitation will be held at the Hurley Funeral Home in Havana from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011. A memorial service in Springfield is pending and will be announced later. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the "Educational Fund" for Caitie's nephews Silas and Eli's educational needs, at The Havana National Bank. Online memorial messages may be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com

Caitlyn "Caitie" Barker

September 12, 2011

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