Shelley Ann Barber

Shelley Ann Barber, R.N., C.C.P., age 67, of Wichita, KS, started her trip to the eternal garden on November 23, 2023. Shelley was born May 13, 1956, in Lakin, KS to Robert and Margaret Coder. She lived and attended school in Lakin until her high school graduation in 1974. During this time she developed her passion and love for medicine, working at both the Lakin and Garden City hospitals. She left Lakin to attend the University of Kansas in Lawrence. In 1978 she transferred to Stormont-Vail nursing school in Topeka and graduated with her R.N. in 1979. While attending KU she met her eventual husband of 44 years, John P. Barber. After their marriage in 1979 she moved to Wichita to begin work in the heart program at St. Francis Hospital. In 1982 Shelley took and passed her national boards certifying her as a cardiac perfusionist. She worked at St. Francis for 30 years. In 2005, after being laid off, Shelley began her own company, Midwest Autotransfusion and Perfusion Services. This business would grow to find Shelley working in hospitals in multiple states. Shelley had a passion for gardening, cooking, birds, and butterflies, especially if she could share these with her 2 sons and her 2 grandsons. She was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. She was also a 42 year member of the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion. Shelley was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, John P. Barber, Wichita. She also leaves sons, John Perry Barber II, of Wichita, and Michael Robert Barber, of Las Vegas. She also leaves her 2 grandsons, John Preston Barber II and Jaxon Zane Barber, both of Wichita. She is also survived by her sister, Tracy Manly and brother-in-law Robert Manly, brother, James W. Coder, sister, Peggy Calkins, brother-in-law, Patrick S. Barber and wife Linda Barber, and sister-in-law Christina Nick. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 8th, 2023, 10:00 A.M., at Downing and Lahey West Mortuary, 10515 W. Maple Street, Wichita, KS, followed by interment at Resthaven Memorial Gardens 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, KS. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to the American Heart Association, 8918 West 21st Street North, Suite 248, Wichita, KS, 67205.