Barbara Joan Barton

Barbara Joan Barton was born March 13, 1949, the 5th of 5 children to Hugh L. & Iva Barton of Chariton, Iowa. Barb passed from this world on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at the age of 73 years old, to be with her Heavenly Father. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in care of Barb’s family.

The service will be livestreamed through the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/barbara-barton-2022

Barb grew up in Chariton, Iowa and made many friends along the way. For those that knew Barb, she was a very special person, she never knew a stranger, and she was always ready to have fun and laugh! She had an ornery streak that ran a mile wide. She also had an adventurous and dare devil side that along the way, just may have gotten her into a little trouble! Barb had a big heart and was always willing to help however she could.

In 1967, Barb married Art Wayne Umbenhower and to this union brought one son, Larry Wayne. After taking on the role of wife and mother, Barb had to put aside finishing school. However, one of her greatest accomplishments and with her stubborn drive, she got her GED and then went on to get her Nurse’s Aide Certificate, and then eventually her CMA Certificate. In between all of this, Barb also owned and ran a bar and grill in Grand River, Iowa which is where she met her second husband, Lavern Karr. They then moved to Knoxville, Iowa in 1978, where she lived until 1990.

Barb made so many friends along her way. Then life took another turn for Barb that took her to Glenwood, Iowa to put her degrees to use working at Park Palace. Barb had a special heart working with those with special needs and helping them. She loved her job there and again, made many special friends. In that time, she met Bill O’Brien, and they spent 20 wonderful years together until he passed away. At that time, she decided to move back to be closer to family and friends. She moved to Chariton, Iowa and was residing at Autumn Park and enjoyed the company of many friends there.

Barb will be deeply missed by her son, Larry (Marsha) Barton; grandchildren: Matt Kohler, Nick Barton, Heather (David) Alexander, Brittany (Kody) Stevens, and Dalton (Valerie) Barton; 5 great grandchildren: Noah, Alviee, Fayelyn, Aiden, and Remi; siblings, Don (Judy) Barton and Ronald Barton; many nieces and nephews; and a very special neighbor, Bonnie Tolbert, who looked after Barb and Barb’s cat, Baby.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh L. and Iva M. Barton; sister, Beverly J. Davis; brother, Robert D. Barton; and sister-in-law, Dee Barton.