SR1253 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1253 LRB101 21760 LAW 72710 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harold Eugene "Fuzz" Barton of Hartford, who passed away on June 19, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Harold Barton was born to Tillman and Velma (Neisler) Barton on April 22, 1937; he grew up in South Roxana; he graduated from Roxana High School; he served in the U.S. Army, and he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany; he married Emma Fin in 1962, and she preceded him in death on March 1, 2014; they lived in their first home in Roxana and then moved to Hartford in 1971; he met his companion Loretta O'Neal in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Harold Barton worked for his father at Barton Lumber Company; he then worked with his brother at Barton Construction; he finished his career in construction with his son, Matt, at BERCO Construction prior to his retirement; over the years, he built many homes, roads, bridges, and utility infrastructures in the River Bend area; and

WHEREAS, Harold Barton was an avid water skier and was a member of the Alton Water Ski Club throughout the 1960s; later in life, he became an avid cyclist, and he rode in the MS 150 Ride with a team of family and friends to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society; throughout his life, he enjoyed spending summers on Sanibel Island, Florida with family, where he learned the sport of shelling; alongside his wife, he made many beautiful shell crafts, and they would attend flea markets to sell them; he had many interests, including solving puzzles, eating out, camping, and attending concerts; he loved being a grandfather and spending time with his grandchildren; he was known for his ability to make friends wherever he went, for his ever present smile, and for being a great caregiver; he was an extraordinary man whose generous and caring spirit was a blessing to many; and

WHEREAS, Harold Barton was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Emma; and

WHEREAS, Harold Barton is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Terry Griffin; his son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Barbara Barton; his six grandchildren, Taralei, Marissa and her husband David, Steven, Ethan and his wife Adrianna, Tysen, and Cayden; his companion, Loretta O'Neal; his three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Lela Ellis, Marilyn and Jimmy Gebert, Marcia and David Feldman; his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Vera Barton; his many nieces and nephews; and countless other extended family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harold Eugene "Fuzz" Barton and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Harold Barton as an expression of our deepest sympathy.