ONEONTA – Harry Erford Barton, 85, joined his wife and the Lord on Wednesday, April 11, 2007. He died at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.

He was born May 14, 1921 in West Laurens, the son of George William and Nancy Mabel (Pittsley) Barton.

He was a graduate of the Laurens Central School, Class of 1939.

Mr. Barton married Betty Marie Shaw on September 27, 1942. She predeceased him on May 11, 1987.

Mr. Barton was inducted into the United States Army on October 5, 1942, serving in the European Theater of War and then in the Philippines with the Army Signal Corps, being discharged on January 23, 1946. While over seas he was stationed at Toul, France and San Fernando La Union, Philippine Islands. He received a Battle Star for the Battle of Rhine.

Upon returning to the states after Army duty, he became the Assistant and Relief Manager for the A&P Tea Company, where he worked for more than 32 years, retiring in 1973. He then went to work for the NYSDOT, working there for 12 years as a Highway Equipment Operator, retiring in January of 1986.

He enjoyed playing baseball with the Laurens and Otego Town Teams, where he mostly pitched but did play the outfield and first base.

For many of years, Mr. Barton was a member of the Administrative Board of the Elm Park United Methodist Church, where he was the treasurer of the church and also the building committee treasurer.

Mr. Barton was an active member of the River Street Baptist Church in Oneonta, where he was a lifelong Deacon Chairman, Church Treasurer, a Trustee Chairman, and the Vacation Bible School Treasurer. He built several Sunday School class rooms, was instrumental in the new building program, built many items for the church and was a Building Committee Chairman. He also was a Church Choir Member and active in the Visitation Programs and Men's Fellowship Program.

He was also a member of the Civil Service Employee's Association, retiree Chapter 1000; the United Food and Commercial Worker's Union Local 1; American Association of Retired Persons; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; Life member of the VFW Post 487, Davenport; and the retired Public Employee's Association Inc.

Mr. Barton is survived by his children, Harry Wayne Barton of Utica, Alan Kenneth Barton and his wife, Linda of Owego, Ronald Bruce Barton and companion, Sandy Keiter of Otego, and Janice Marie Beach and companion, Joe Huber of Clearwater, Fla.; 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 niece; 1 nephew and sister-in-law, Betty Shaw of Oneonta.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Pete and Sam Barton and a sister, Lula Davis.

Calling hours will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2007, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home in Oneonta.

The funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, April 16, 2007 at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mel Farmer, pastor of the River Street Baptist Church, officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the River Street Baptist Church, 133 River St., Oneonta, NY 13820 or the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006.

Condolences to the family may be sent to www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.