James Olen Barton, Jr.

James Olen Barton, Jr., 85, of Shelbyville passed away Thursday, April 2, 2009 at his home. Born April 23,1923, in Shelby County, he was the son of James Olen and Lillian (Maze) Barton. He married Madeline Irene Mize Crafton, and she survives. Other survivors include daughters, Marilyn (husband, Max) Swinford of Flat Rock, Jennifer (husband, Bill) Basey of Shelbyville, Jerri (husband, Albert) Ritz of Cape Coral, Florida, and Julie (husband, Steve) Saunders of Greenwood; son, James (wife, Elaine) Barton III of Purvis, Mississippi; daughter-in-aw, Judy Crafton of Cummings, Georgia; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Hooker; brother, Jack Barton; and son, Tom Crafton. Mr. Barton graduated from Waldron High School in 1940. He had been employed as a maintenance supervisor. Mr. Barton was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II, serving in the India/Burma/China Theater as a radio operator on a C47 troop transporter and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a member of the Geneva United Methodist Church and Farmers Masonic Lodge in Norristown. Mr. Barton enjoyed ballroom dancing, golfing, carpentry and electronics. Visitation will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Geneva United Methodist Church. A memorial services will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Mark Dodd officiating, followed by military services conducted at the church by local veterans. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Shelby County, Geneva United Methodist Church or Shelby Senior Services in care of the Carmony-Ewing Chapel of Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176, to whom arrangements were entrusted.