The Rev. John R. Barton Sr., Milton Lutheran minister

The Rev. John R. Barton Sr. of Milton, born March 23, 1941, entered The Church Triumphant on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016.

Raised in Chester, Pa, "Rich" was one of five children born to Gilbert Christian "Pete" Barton Sr. and Anna McAvoy Royds. After high school, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years, learning the skills of an electrician while serving aboard the U.S.S. Shangri-La.

After discharge, John followed this training with additional night courses at Drexel University. He supported his new family of Margaret "Peggy" Fehl Barton, twins, John and Joy and youngest daughter, Beth with a full-time job at Philadelphia Electric Company, and a part-time dispatching job at British Petroleum.

Keeping his full and part-time positions, John entered The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, finishing the normally four year program in three years. He served First Lutheran Church in Collingdale, Pa., St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Line Lexington, Pa., and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Pa. After moving to Delaware, John served as pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Frankford. During this time he began a mission church, which is now Grace of God Lutheran in Long Neck. After retirement, John served St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Milton, while he and Peggy operated Hull Cottage Bed & Breakfast as a hobby, meeting people from all parts of the world.

After Peggy's death in October 2011, John traveled and renewed a friendship he had with his present wife, Sara Beaumont Barton. They married last November and spent the year enjoying each other's company while traveling and sharing other interests, including several cats and the family standard poodles, Russell and Bill.

In addition to their adult children, John and Peggy were the grandparents of seven and great-grandparents of five.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing at Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, from 6 until 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at Community Lutheran Church, 30897 Omar Road, Frankford. A viewing at 10 a.m. will precede the Service of Remembrance and Celebration at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061 or memorials to Community Lutheran Church.