Bernard Barton Sr

Bernard "Curly" Lloyd Barton was born October 7, 1924, along with fraternal twin Robert Burr in Hamilton Township, Gratiot County, Michigan to Chester Lloyd and Hattie Ilene (Thompson) Barton.

Known as Curly his entire life, he grew up in North Star, Michigan and attended Ithaca High School. At age seventeen he joined the US Navy and served as a coxswain off the coast of The Bahamas. After returning from World War II, Curly married Jeanette P Mills, his childhood sweetheart, on May 3, 1947, in Corunna, Shiawassee County, Michigan.

In North Star, Michigan he began his career as a heavy equipment operator. He helped dig what is now Reed County Park. Curly worked over 35 years for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 324. After retiring in 1983, he bought a dozer, dump truck and drag line which he used to create a campground, Barton Park, with two large ponds on his family farm. His entire family spends holidays camping together at Barton Park.

Curly was an avid outdoorsman, bagging a six point buck last November and loved fishing in his ponds. Curly was also a jack of all trades; he could make, mend, build or repair anything. He owned a Taylorcraft airplane, which he rebuilt. He also raced stock cars at Crystal Raceway. After retiring, he loved traveling to different southern states during the winter months. Most of all, he was a story teller to his family and friends.

Curly and Jeanette had three children together: Bernard L. (Bernie) of New Haven Township, Pamela and Alan Fidler of North Star Township, and Renee and Kevin Smith of New Haven Township. Bernie's children: Kristi and Steve Sigafoose of rural Alma, Traci Lee, deceased, Doctor Taralynn Barton of Mt Pleasant, and Heath and Elaina Barton of rural Elwell. Tiana Ramos-Gee of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Great grandchildren are Cameron Burch, Haylee Sigafoose, Gage Barton, .J.C. and Isabelle Ramos-Gee. Pam's children are: Brett and Jeanne Fidler of North Star, Amanda and Randy Whitaker of Hamilton Township, and Carrie Fidler of Lansing. Great grandchildren: Clare and Jamie Fidler, Joseph and Shannon Whitaker, and Abbie and Deegan Deloof. Renee's children are: Matthew Smith of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Katie Smith of Austin, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette on March 14, 2010, granddaughter Traci Lee Barton in July 1974, his parents and all of his siblings: Lena Antes, Ted, Dale, twin brother Burr and Laney.

Curly was a lifelong resident of New Haven Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. He lived on the farm he bought from his parents. Curly passed away as the sun rose on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at home with his three children beside him. He was diagnosed in December 2009 with inoperable lung cancer.

A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home in Ithaca, Michigan. Visitation will be on Friday the 23rd from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials can be made to Gratiot County Commission on Aging in Ithaca and Hospice of Mid Michigan. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel, Ithaca, MI.

Read Bernard "Curly" Barton Sr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.