Diane E. Barker Bigos

Diane Evelyn Barker Bigos, a cherished resident of Port Orange, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2025. Born on July 28, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Diane made Florida her home in 1984, embracing its warmth and beauty. At 68 years young, she leaves behind a legacy of love, grace, and unforgettable memories.

Diane’s life was marked by remarkable achievements and unwavering determination. She earned her associate’s degree in Sales and Merchandising on an accelerated track, all while working full-time to fund her education—a testament to her relentless drive and work ethic. Her career began in sales, where she discovered her true passion and ambition. Diane went on to break barriers as a licensed stockbroker, excelling as a trailblazer for women in the highly competitive and male-dominated “boiler room” environment. Her success and resilience in this field were a source of immense pride and inspiration. The position she had the most passion for was co-owner of Richard Barker Construction. She was an integral part of the success of the company, client relations, and design. Diane took profound pride in her impactful work with the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), where she served as a dedicated board member and fashion show chairman, raising vital funds to support local children in need. In her free time, she reveled in gardening, snorkeling, traveling, creating stunning Christmas trees, hosting unforgettable dinner parties, baking, cooking, and, above all, treasuring time with her children and their families.

Diane was preceded in death by her father, John (Hans) Schmidt; mother, Evelyn Schmidt; brothers, Daniel Schmidt (Ellen) and Johnny Schmidt (Helen); and stepson, Bobby Bigos Jr. (Kelly).

She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert A. Bigos; her son, Brian Barker (Brandi) of Port Orange, FL; her daughters, Amber Shike (Michael) of Concord, NC, and Allison Rains (Cody) of DeLand, FL; her stepdaughter, Jamie Balla (Gary) of East Brunswick, NJ; and her beloved grandchildren, Gabriel Barker, Brogan Barker, Braxx Barker, Oliver Shike, Milo Shike. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren, Nathan Balla, Adrianna Balla, and Baby Bigos; her nephew, Danny Schmidt; and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at http://support.pancan.org/goto/DianeBarkerBigos

The Celebration of Life for Diane is going to be held on April 5, 2025, at Toronita Avenue Park in Wilbur-By-The-Sea. It will be between 6:00pm and 8:00pm. For all Volusia County residents please go to the following website and apply for your resident beach parking permit to avoid having to pay for parking.

https://www.parkvolusia.org/residents