James Milton Barton, 82, died peacefully at Stonehill Care Center on Saturday, January 12, 2019. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Hospice of Dubuque chaplain Rev. Dianne Grace will lead a service at 12:00 noon. Following the visitation, family and friends are invited to enjoy a meal together at Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown. Per Jim’s wishes, his body was donated to The University of Iowa to further the education of medical students. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Rickardsville at a future date.

The son of John and Blanche (Schirmer) Barton, Jim was born at home in Dubuque, on May 21, 1936. Due to the generosity of his maternal grandmother, Lydia Schirmer, Jim attended high school at Loras Academy and graduated in 1954. He married Barbara Welu the following year. Three daughters were born of this marriage: Tina, Lisa, and Andrea. Jim and Barbara later divorced. Jim was employed as a meat packer at Dubuque Packing Company for 44 years (1954-1998). In addition, Jim was self-employed as a house painter, wallpaper hanger, and furniture refinisher. In later years, he worked in apartment maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal. In his seventies, he worked at The Family Mart. Like many Dubuquers of his generation, Jim maintained a strong work ethic throughout his life. From an early age, Jim enjoyed picking berries – blackberries and black raspberries were his favorites. With friends, Jim hunted pheasants and rabbits for many decades. He played baseball at Loras Academy and as an adult coached and umpired. He and his family were frequent spectators at local stock car races at the Sportsbowl dirt track. With friends, Jim enjoyed races at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds and Farley Speedway. Jim loved being a grandpa and treasured time with his grandson. He wholeheartedly supported Cael, encouraging him as a student and as an enthusiastic spectator at his many sporting events.

Jim is survived by

three daughters,
Tina Barton, Dubuque, IA,
Lisa Paulos & husband Rick, Cedar Rapids, IA
and Andrea Anderson & husband Chad, Oregon, WI;

his grandson,
Cael Anderson, Oregon, WI;

and his siblings,
Leo Barton, Dubuque, IA
and Betty Stierman, Arizona.

Jim joins his parents, Blanche & John, his sisters, Eileen & Phyllis, and his brothers, Ray, Paul & Louis, who passed before him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dubuque Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Hospice of Dubuque, Stonehill Care Center, or sent in care of the family to 3044 Lemon Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com

Jim’s family wishes to thank the staff members of Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care.