John Michael “Mike” Barton
John Michael “Mike” Barton, age 77, formerly of Quincy, Illinois was Born into Eternal Life January 21, 2020, in Saint Louis, MO.
Mike was Born into life August 5, 1942, in Houston, TX.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Anita Wilmes Barton (September 3, 1985) and John Harold (Hal) Barton (January 11, 1987).
Mike was a cousin to Kathleen Herring, Mary Jo Wilmes, Jeanne Miller, Peggy King, and Laura Thake. Devout Catholic and friend to all he encountered. Mike was an avid sports fan of Quincy Notre Dame (class of 1961), the Blue Devils, QU and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mike’s community of friends and angels seemed boundless, but we are especially grateful to Marty and Dale Venvertloh, to Brian Inman, Kathy Harman, Heather Whitaker, Father Bauer and Cindy Yuchs for the many ways that they cared for Mike over the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials in Mike’s name may be made to the Church of St. Peter or to the Autism Society.
Arrangements by Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.
I will long remember Mike, I have known him most of my life. I lived on 24th, Maine to Hampshire until age 14 which means I hung with friends at Madison School and Madison Park and Schullians Market on 25th. Mike would ride up and talk with us. Schullian’s was the gathering spot for neighborhood kids. I think he called me Mr. Cramer even though he was the older. We talked about baseball. After my Dad died when I was 10, he simply said Mr. Cramer you dad died or words to that affect. He may have added something but that was it. But I understood then and now that it was his way of offering his sympathy. Mike was who he was which means you could be who you are. In world that expects people to be a certain way, he gave all of us a true gift. He knew me by name well into my adult life though I rarely saw him. But I feel his loss. God Bless and thank you!
You have seen Rain Man, perhaps. Mike was a savant, too. In spite of all his challenges, when he played miniature gold at Howard Dewell’s Putt-Putt Golf Course many years ago, it was uncanny. It was like he was playing chess on a new level. And everyone respected him and thought he was amazing. I did.
Mike was such a special person. It always amazed me that he could remember the names of my children at QND as he watched them play their sports. He never forgot a name as he knew almost everyone.
Mike never forgot a name and face. I met him in 1964/65 at Schullians Store on 25th across from Madison School where I attended sixth grade. He remembered my name thereafter, and years later when I bumped into him at the mall, he called me by name. An iconic Quincyan, and what a baseball fan! Rest in peace Mike. Condolences to his family and many friends.
Jeanne, Mike will be missed. For as long as I can remember he has loved sports. His Notre Dame Raiders, Quincy Blue Devils Basketball, and St. Louis Cardinals. He always knew when the next game was scheduled. His soft heart and love for Josie the facility cat will be hard to forget. Peace be with you and your family.
Mike would always ride his Bike to all the games even to the Y games . love to talk to all the Family and kids, he knew his Baseball games. God gave him his Angel Wings and he deserved each Feather. Well miss his great Smile.
RIP, Mike!♥️