Wilbur Junior Barton, 80 of Fredericktown passed from this life Sunday, November 8, 2009. He was home visiting with family and friends when his call came suddenly.

Junior was 80 years old and had been privileged to go a lot of places and do a lot of things.

He was born April 28, 1928 in Buick, Missouri, a son of Wilbur Junior Sr. and Artie Alice (Smith) Barton. His mother often told of the snow they had on the day he was born and in telling Junior liked to say, “and I remember it well.”

Junior could do just about anything and he gave every job 100 percent of himself.

Farming was his favorite occupation and he mentioned not long ago that he might get some “feeder calves” when he got to feeling better. He also liked to ride and visit people and places and he never met a stranger. In fact, after talking awhile it was often revealed that he had just met another one of his kinfolks. Horses, cowboy hats, dumplings and coconut cream pie were important to Junior, but most of all was his love for the Savior and appreciation for the blessings He showered upon him throughout his long life.

Junior is survived by his dear friend Jennie Whitmer of Fredericktown; five children, Danny and Brenda Barton of Viburnum, Missouri, Shirley Casey of Sealy, Texas, Mark Barton of Viburnum and their mother, Hazel Clark of Houston, Texas; 21 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Ezra and Kathy of Troy, Missouri, Ray and Rosemary of Oates, Missouri,  Ralph and Bonnie of Oates, Linda and Dane Hauck of O’Fallon, Missouri, Roger and Theresa of Bonne Terre, Missouri, Barbara and Jimmy Mathes of Oates, Daniel of Viburnum and Rodney and Barbara of Bonne Terre.

He is also survived by his extended family (on Jennie’s side) Debbie and Larry Brunk of Fredericktown, Freddy and Cindy Whitmer of Springfield, Missouri, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild to whom Junior was ‘PaPa.”

Junior has many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends left to miss him and remember all the good times shared.

His parents; one brother, Flash Barton; one sister, Burtafay Johnson and one infant great-grandchild preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Wilson Funeral Home with Brother Carl Hutcheson and Brother Lee Smith officiating. Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. November 11 at the Smith Cemetery near Oates, Missouri.

Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home of Fredericktown, Missouri.

www.wilson-funeral-home.com