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Irene Barker, 92, of Weirton, WV, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Weirton Geriatric Center. She was born on August 3, 1934, in Weirton.
She was preceded in death by her father, George Teringa; her mother, Sophie Ratvasky Teringa Chervenak; her stepfather, John Chervenak; her beloved husband of 64 years, Edward Blaine Barker, who passed away in 2020; her sister, Helen Marini; and her nephew, Brian Edward Banks.
Irene is survived by her sisters, Kathleen Banks of Weirton and Dr. Joan Anne Lynch (Al) of Huntington; niece, Jennifer Creedon (Paul) of New York; and great-niece, Juliette Creedon; and several nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, including Grace of North Carolina, and Tony, Tom, John, Greg, Mike, Anna, Regina and Lisa of Florida.
Irene was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by compassion, service, and an unwavering devotion to others. From an early age, a teacher recognized her exceptional talent for writing. With encouragement, Irene blossomed into a gifted and prolific writer, finding her voice and a lifelong passion for expressing herself through words.
When her parents became ill, Irene selflessly stepped forward to become the legal guardian of her younger sisters. She embraced that responsibility with love and dedication, helping to raise them and setting the foundation for a lifetime devoted to caring for others.
Irene was a proud graduate of the Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing. Her influence on the nursing profession was so profound that all three of her sisters followed in her footsteps. Together, they became the only set of four sisters to graduate from the Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing. Irene continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Liberty State College. Once again, her sisters followed her example, advancing their own education and careers in the health-care field.
Among Irene’s many accomplishments, one of her proudest was founding and developing the first nurses’ union at Ohio Valley Hospital. It was a tremendous undertaking, particularly in the face of adversity, but Irene persevered because she wanted to improve the lives and careers of her fellow nurses. She had a leadership role as President of the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) Local Bargaining Unit; and helped negotiate a nurses' strike settlement. Her dedication to those around her was a hallmark of both her professional and personal life.
Beyond nursing, Irene’s greatest joy was her family. On Christmas Eve in 1955, she married the love of her life, Edward Blaine Barker. From that day forward, the two were inseparable. Together, they shared a love of travel and adventure, purchasing an RV and touring every state, excluding Alaska, which they still had hopes of visiting. She even enjoyed collecting rocks from many states and placing them in her backyard garden.
During their travels, Irene and Edward developed a passion for antiques. They began collecting, restoring, and refurbishing antiques of all kinds, with a particular love for furniture. They traveled with their treasures to antique shows throughout the country and became well known and respected within the antiques community. Even as their health eventually limited their ability to travel, they never lost their appreciation for antiques or their ability to see beauty in the world around them.
Above all, Irene and Edward cherished their family. When her nephew Brian became ill, she and Edward stepped up instantly to care for him alongside his mother, until his eventual passing in 1994. Whether she was raising her younger sisters, caring for relatives, supporting her fellow nurses, or helping someone in need, Irene gave of herself freely. She never sought recognition or publicity for the many lives she touched and the countless acts of service she provided. She was a truly humble, loving, and affectionate woman with a remarkable zeal for life.
Irene will be inurned with her beloved Edward at Union Cemetery of Steubenville. A Celebration of Irene’s Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, at Union Cemetery of Steubenville, Sunset Blvd., with Rev. Dr. G. Carl Moore, Jr. presiding. A luncheon will follow in memory of Irene.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Steel & Wolfe Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Weirton. Online condolences may be offered to Irene’s family at www.steelandwolfe.com.
Irene's family would like to thank the loving staff of Sunnybrook for their loving care and compassion. Also, they wish to thank Scott and other members of Valley Hospice for the care and support provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Weirton Geriatric Center’s Resident Council of Sunnybrook, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave., Weirton, WV 26062.