Lavina Ann Barton

Lavina Ann Barton, 74, of Lockridge, IA, died Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the Henry County Health Center. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Don Coffin officiating. Burial will be in the Lambirth Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the Lambirth Cemetery and to R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program.) Born April 16, 1934, in Washington County, IA, Lavina Ann was the daughter of David R. and Ada Fannie (Christner) Schantz. On June 3, 1956, she married Rex W. Barton in Washington. He survives. The couple lived on a family century farm in Henry County for 49 years. Lavina received a teaching degree from Muscatine Junior College. In 1972, she graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with a B.A. degree in education. She taught second and third grades for one year in Conesville, IA. She also taught in Vega Rural School in Jefferson County. Lavina was a kindergarten teacher in Salem for the Mt. Pleasant Community Schools for 35 years. She retired in 1999. Lavina was a former Henry County 4-H leader and a Mt. Pleasant Education Association member. She enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, sketching and writing. She was also a vendor at the Farmer's Market. Lavina attended Cedar Creek Church. She had a great love for her family and grandchildren. Along with her husband Rex, survivors include three sons, Roger Barton, Kevin (Linda) Barton and Todd (Lisa) Barton all of Mt. Pleasant; two daughters, Laurie (Steven) Bartle of Fairfield, IA, and Beth (Raymond) Craig of North Liberty, IA; Also surviving are seventeen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, four step grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Pauline Duck of Olathe, KS, Ellen Crossett and Betty Beenblossom both of Washington, IA, and one brother, Donald Schantz also of Washington. Lavina was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Verda Henkel and Darlene Crile.