Helen Stafford Barton Orton

Helen Orton Obituary

HELEN STAFFORD BARTON ORTON, 91, a life-long resident of Erie County, and more recently from Collierville, Tennessee, died December 28, 2008 in Cordova, Tennessee. She was born on February 8, 1917 at Franklin Center, PA, the daughter of the late Vernon A. Mary Osen Stafford. Miss Staffordattended the Wattsburg Area Schools, and later married Dr. Charles K. Barton in 1937. They owned and operated a dairy farm, in addition to his dental practice, on Rte. 19 in Summit Township for many years. During that period of time she served on the School Baord for Summit and LeBoeuf townships. After the death of Dr. Barton, she subsequently moved to Wattsburg and married her former schoolmate, Gerald Orton. She was a member of the Summit Methodist, and Lowville Unit ed Methodist churches, and while in Tennessee attended the Fisherville Baptist church. She was a charter member of the Wattsburg Historical Society and also served on the Boro Council. She was always very interested in the affairs of her community. Helen’s special ministry in life was her concern for and devotion to her family, and her unselfish giving and service to others. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husbands, Dr. Charles K. Barton and Gerald E. Orton, two brothers, Donald M. and Vernon A. Stafford, two sisters, Dorothy L. Eppley and Marjorie L. Ferrier. She was the loving mother of two sons, John Vernon Barton and his wife Dr. Rebecca Heard Barton of Tennessee and Dr. Norman Walter Barton and his wife, Ellen Schmeltzer Barton of Maryland. She is also survived by four grandchildren, John Vernon Barton II and his wife Elizabeth Taylor Barton, Dr. Susan Heard Barton, James Bennett Barton and Michael Alexander Baron, and two great-grandchildren, Charles Stafford Barton and Mary Fairlei Barton. Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt and Son Funeral Home, Erie, PA on January 2, 2008 from 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be h eld at Russell C. Schmidt and Son Funeral Home, at 10:30 a.m. on January 3, 2008 with interment to follow in Laurel Hill cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Lowville Methodist Church, Lowville, PA or to Fisherville Baptist Church, Fisherville, TN 38017.

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Published by The Commercial Appeal on Dec. 31, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Orton

3 Entries

Karen Chaffee

January 2, 2009

Helen and I became friends many years ago. With a common bond of creative interests, she shared her talent of reupholstery and mentored me for several months. We developed a wonderful bond and relationship over that period of time that grew. Through our upholstery sessions I learned much more than a craft, I witnessed a strong Christian woman's love for her family, kindness for her friends and neighbors and respect & loyalty to all of those around her. With tenacity for anything she did, she dealt with life head on and with grace finished the job. My husband, Dale proclaims that in reality, Helen Stafford Barton Orton truly was the original "Nike girl", she would say, "Why, I am just going to do it"! Thank you, Helen, I have truly been blessed.

Dan, Casey, & Nick Pfeiffer

January 2, 2009

To all the members of the Barton, Stafford, and Orton families we send our deepest sympathy on the loss of Helen. Dear Walt and Vern, you are her shinning stars, her heroes, her story tellers and she loved nothing in this world more than you. Faithfully she loved nothing more in the next than her Lord and God. Living across the street from Helen we became friends and we love her dearly. When Nick was first learning his nightly prayers he would ask God to bless "Helen across the street" as if that was her name-He didn't want God blessing the wrong one. Of all the things Helen taught me, I think the one that stands out in my mind the most is something her mother taught her--"What you keep you loose and what you give away you have forever." May eternal rest grant unto her soul and prepetual light shine upon you. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen

Valerie (Johnson) Kennedy

January 2, 2009

Helen was our neighbor and dear friend during the time she lived on Lowville St., before moving to TN. The surprising thing I found out after getting to know her was that she was from Summit, where I grew up. She knew my grandparents, my Dad and his brothers and sisters. I so enjoyed hearing the history of those times from her. My children called her Grandma Helen and she enjoyed spending time with them. We gardenened together and I learned that some good "real estate" (horse manure) was the key to great plants. Upon her urging I joined the historical society and am still a member. She was a loving and giving soul with a great sense of humor, who showed by example how to be a good friend and serve your community. God Bless Her!

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