Rex W. Barton

Rex W. Barton, 75, of Lockridge, IA, died Saturday, October 25, 2008, at the Henry County Health Center. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 29, 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 H2O (Help to Others) and Lambirth Cemetery. Born at home in rural Mt. Pleasant on April 25, 1933, Rex William was the son of Roy H. and Minnie Rae LaMar. He attended rural, country school, Prairie Gem #9 for first through the eighth grade and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1951. On June 3, 1956, Rex married Lavina Ann Schantz in Washington, IA. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2008. The couple lived on a family century farm in Henry County for 49 years. A lifelong farmer, Rex raised hogs and cattle, along with growing grain. He was an avid gardener, a vendor at the Farmer's Market in Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield, and attended Cedar Creek Friends Church. Rex was a member of the Henry County A.S.C.S. Board and the Swinging S Promenaders Square Dance Club in Salem, IA. Rex had a great love for his children and grandchildren. While his children were growing up, he was involved in 4-H. He enjoyed fishing, yard work, and card playing. Survivors include three sons Roger Barton, Kevin (Linda) Barton and Todd (Lisa) Barton, all of Mt. Pleasant, IA; two daughters, Laurie (Steven) Bartle of Fairfield, IA and Beth (Raymond) Craig of North Liberty, IA; and three sisters, Beryl (Melvin) Rich of Mt. Pleasant, IA; Vivian Hildebrand of Wayland, IA, and Wilma (Sam) Roberts of Provo, UT. Also surviving are seventeen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, four step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren. Along with his wife, Lavina, Rex was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Edith Juanita Barton.