John R. "Toots" Barth

John R. "Toots"
Barth
NORTH BROOKFIELD
John R. "Toots" Barth, 78, passed away on his birthday, July 30, 2015, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, while his loving family was at his side. He was born in Solsville, on July 30, 1937, the son of the late Elmer and Irene Karlman Barth. Toots was an Army Veteran. In 1960, in Waterville he married Joan Frederick. He had spent 25 years at Kelsey-Hayes, retiring with 25 years of service. He had also worked at Hamilton College. Toots finally retired from the Waterville School District where he had worked many years. He enjoyed the outdoors of North Brookfield and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Toots was also known to be a lover of Keno and the weekly NYS Lottery. He also had a deep love for NASCAR's Jeff Gordon. Even with all these loves, he will most be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. The community of North Brookfield will miss seeing Toots, also known as the unofficial "Mayor" of North Brookfield. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Joan; his children, William Barth, of Syracuse, and Amy and her husband, Mike Walker, of North Brookfield; his beloved grandchildren, Nolan Barth, Joshua Walker and his wife, Ashley, Dalton Walker, and Joey Walker; his beloved great-grandchildren, Margaret Walker and Chloe Walker; his brothers, Ed (Pat) Barth, of Rochester, Donald (Jane) Barth, of FL, Eugene (Linda) Barth, of TX, Dick (Betty) Barth, of Waterville; his sisters, Caroline (Daryl) Legacy, of Oriskany Falls, Joan Whittenbeck, of Waterville, and Marlene Morris, of CA; brothers-in-law, William "Rusty" (Joanie) Frederick, of North Brookfield, and Ken Burstein, of Hubbardsville; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Don) McBriar, of VA, Bonnie (Carl) Stone, of Madison, and Elaine Barth, of North Brookfield. Toots is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and close friends. Toots was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Irene; his son, Graig; his brothers, Elmer Barth and Randy "Bobo" Barth; his father and mother-in-law, William and Thelma Frederick; and his sister-in-law, Janet Burstein. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 1 PM at the South Gate Ministries Church, Main Street, Waterville, with the Rev. Doug Cowburn, Sr., Pastor, officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be in North Brookfield Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the church. In keeping with Toot's wishes there will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Jeffrey T. Paul, Director, of the Paul Funeral Home of Brookfield. Please no flowers, but instead, please donate in Toot's name, to the North Brookfield Fire Department, the Waterville Area Ambulance Corps, or South Gate Ministries. Envelopes will be available at the church.