Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Preceded in death by his parents Bennett J. Barton and Sue M. Barton (nee Ortner), and his only sibling, David J. Barton (Barbara). Beloved husband of 67 years of Judith Barton (nee Martin); most loved father of five daughters, Lisa Schulte, Diane Pugh, Tricia Barton, Sue Lenzen and Stacy McManus; Wonderful father-in-law to Jon Schulte, Randy Lenzen and Pat McManus. Best grandpa to Nick Schulte (Ashley), Tony Pugh (Jessica), Allison Ziegler (Scott), Dan Pugh (deceased), Ben Lenzen (Brandy), Laine Lenzen (fiancé Matt Zytniak), Becca Schulte, Kevin McManus, Erin Zawalski (Mike) and Claire McManus. Favorite great-grandpa to Liam Lenzen, Bennie Ziegler, Vinny Ziegler, Emmett Lenzen, Zoey Ziegler and Baby Boy Schulte on the way. Brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many, Ben’s sense of humor, deep faith in Jesus Christ, and his humble servant’s heart will be greatly missed.
Born in St. Louis, MO on January 6, 1933, Ben was a 1951 alumnae of Christian Brothers College High School, and graduated with an electrical engineering degree from University of Missouri-Columbia in 1955. Ben headed straight to California to work for Hughes Aircraft. Ben soon met Erie, PA native, Judy Martin, at a Catholic Young Adult event, wooed her away from another suitor, and married her a few months later in February 1957. Soon followed 5 little girls, a move back to his hometown of St. Louis in 1966, and a fulfilling career at McDonnell Douglas Corporation. After a multi-year stint in Saudi Arabia, and lots of world travel, Ben & Judy came back to St. Louis and their growing family. Ben retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1992.
Ben’s Catholic faith was very important to him, and he modeled his faith to his very last breath. We will be forever grateful to God that Ben passed peacefully, surrounded by all his girls and Judy, his most precious person. Ben was a big presence in all our lives. Heaven’s gain is our great loss.
SERVICES: Funeral Mass on Monday, March 25 at 10:30 am at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Sunset Hills. Visitation at the Church from 9:30-10:30 am.
Barton family,
It was my pleasure to be a part of your dad’s care. I loved visiting with him and getting to know each of you. He was an incredible man to say the least. I know he is at peace in heaven watching over his beloved wife and his 5 honeys (all 5 of his beautiful, caring daughters) . I will miss you my Gentle Ben.
Love,
Stacie
Stacie, on behalf of my whole family, thank you so much for the loving care you so generously gave to our dad. You made a difference for him and for us, and we’ll be forever grateful.
My deepest sympathy and prayers to your family. Ben was a wonderful husband, and father. Loved and was loved by all.
Uncle Ben will be forever remembered with all his great wit and loving nature he had with everybody. You will be truly missed in our hearts.
Thank you Heather and Victor. This has been a tough few months hasnt it?
Prayers to Judy Barton and all you wonderful gals/daughters. Your Dad was a very nice man…and I love that he showed my brother Jon what a Great Dad should be…I know Jon liked calling him Dad! Happy all of you were with him as he left earth to be in the Heavens watching over all of you! 😇
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My husband Tom McManus and I always enjoyed Ben. Either meeting at Pat and Stacy’s or golfing he was such an enjoyable person. A wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather to the grandchildren we shared. We miss him and may he rest in peace.
My late husband Dale and I had the pleasure of many Happy and memorable times with Ben and “Judy my best friend since 6th grade” getting together with our families in Erie. St Louis, Hilton Head, Marco Island, cruises and More…Ben loved life and most of all his Wife Judy, and their 5 Beautiful daughters.and their families….Heaven has gained a Wonderful Loving Man
Ben always had such a great outlook on life and a fantastic personality. As I would pass him in the halls, he would always say “God bless you!”. I truly feel God has blessed me with bringing Ben into my life. It isn’t surprising that you have such a great family as Ben set a wonderful example of how to treat others. Cherish the memories as his examples lives on in his family. Prayers for each of you.
I loved Ben Barton… he was as much a brother to me as if he were of Martin blood. And no wonder, he called my parents Mom and Dad… and I know for a fact, that both of them thought of him as a son. Ben was wise, funny, giving, generous, and oh, so smart! He took me in for a summer when I was 13 and too much for my mom and dad to put up with. He not only housed and fed me but counseled me, taught to shoot pool, and introduced me to White Castle hamburgers! I will miss him… his passing has left another super-sized empty space in the Martin family… and there’s no fuzz on that!
Love you Uncle Mike 😘😘😘
Dear Barton sisters,
So sorry for your loss. Hope your wonderful memories bring you peace and joy….
Diane Engelhardt Gorman
UA ‘77
ASA, SMSU
Our sincerest condolences to the Barton family, peace love and prayers to all of you!
Pam & Steve Wade
Branson, Mo