Ronald Lee Barton

      Ronald Lee "Ron" Barton, age 76, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Schnepp Health Care Center, St. Louis.

      At Ron's request, a cremation has taken place and there will be no services.  Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery at a later date.

      Ron was born in Alma, Michigan on August 30, 1947, the son V. Ted and Marcia Marie (Haas) Barton. He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns with the Class of 1966.  On October 29, 1966, Ron married Karen Allyce Robinson at the Elsie Methodist Church, Elsie, MI. They were married fifty-seven years.

     Ron was a hard worker. He worked for General Motors for 30 years, retiring in 1996. He farmed and hauled sand for many years in his yellow dump truck. He was known as "The Sand Man."  Ron loved his family, especially his grandsons. He faithfully attended their sporting events. His greatest joy was being part of their lives.

     Ron is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Lori (fiance' Chris Barrus) Ingalls, Scott (Lona) Barton, two grandsons: Jared (Jennifer) Barton, and Evan (fiance' Kenzie Rutz) Barton; two great grandchildren: Audleigh Marie and Kasen Ron Barton; and his mother Marcia Barton. He was preceded in death by his father Ted Barton and his brother Dan (Margaret) Barton.

     Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.