Meet your neighbors David and Andrea Barber of Raritan, married 38 years.
Andrea is head bookkeeper at the Raritan State Bank having worked there since 1969. She graduated from Media High School and Burlington Business School and worked at J.I. Case Co. 2-3 years.
David was raised in Media, son of Clifford and Marjorie Barber. After graduating from Media High School he received a degree in the Navy in Financial Engineering, serving his country in 1964-65. He went into active duty in Vietnam in 1965 and was part of a newly formed amphibious reconnaissance company. The unit was tasked with conducting ground and amphibious recon missions, and beach reconnaissance, and obstacle clearance supporting the Royal Thai Marine Corp. David's group carried Marines in and made beach landings. He reenlisted and went off active duty in 1967. For 7 years, David served in the Navy Reserves and was discharged in 1970. He reenlisted in the Reserves for 1971-72.
In a small town you are bound to meet up with a pretty girl, and David did at the Overstreet's neighbors' home where Andrea was visiting. David and Andrea were married in 1968 and lived in Roseville for three years before moving to Raritan where they've lived the past 35 years.
David has been Superintendent of a rock quarry, Manager of Webster Industry, Sales Business Manager at City Ford, Facilities Coordinator at Methode Industry, Carthage, did construction projects in Golden and Carthage, delivered motor homes and travel trailers, was Deputy Circuit Clerk in Oquawka, and has even done repose for car dealerships. He is now retired.
David and Andrea have four children: Janine (Bryant) Coulter of Burnside (born in 1969). Christopher (Amy) Barber of Stronghurst, Megan of rural Biggsville and Sharon of La Harpe. They have five grandchildren. In their free time they enjoy their grandkids activities, their three cats, the Chicago Bears and Cubs games. David golfs, and Andrea crochets and sings in the church choir. The couple enjoys traveling and have been in every state except Alaska.