Barbara Jean Morton

Barbara "Barb" Jean Morton, age 82, passed away on March 15, 2026.

Barb was born on September 2, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, to Charles and Sophie (Turek) Guntensperger. She was the eldest of three daughters and was raised in Detroit alongside her sisters, Charlette and Patricia. She graduated from Immaculata High School in Detroit with the Class of 1961.

In 1963, Barb met Robert "Bob" Morton at a bowling alley, where friends had arranged the introduction. The two quickly became inseparable and were married in November of 1964 at Hope Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. They made their home in Dearborn, where they began raising their family and welcomed three children: Kristi, Cheryl, and Robert "Rob" Morton, Jr.

Barb worked for many years as an administrative assistant and later as a mortgage processor. Outside of work, she enjoyed an active and social life. She loved bowling and spent many years in a bowling league at Satellite Lanes alongside friends and neighbors. Barb and Bob also shared a love of travel, taking trips throughout Europe including trips to Austria, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, and Germany, as well as vacations to Hawaii and Walt Disney World.

The couple especially enjoyed spending their winters in Davenport, Florida, where they built many friendships over the years. They enjoyed early-bird dinners, casino trips, and frequent visits to Disney. Barb and Bob often made the long drive from Michigan to Florida each season. Barb also loved camping with her family, beginning with a pop-up camper and later traveling with a fifth-wheel trailer. Many summers were spent camping throughout the Midwest and later in Florida.

For many years, Barb and Bob were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, where Barb enjoyed helping assemble church programs and supporting the congregation's activities.

Barb and Bob were truly one another's best friends. They shared a life filled with travel, family, and everyday companionship, doing nearly everything together. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before Bob's passing earlier in 2025.

Barb was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Morton; her parents, Charles and Sophie Guntensperger; and her brothers-in-law, Bill Curtis and David Anderson.

She is survived by her children, Kristi (Gerald) Smyth, Cheryl (John) Calder, and Robert Morton Jr.; her grandchildren, Cameron (Alexa) Smyth, Brandon Smyth, Nick (Julie) Calder, Allison Calder, Hannah (Fred) Evans, Jordan Morton, Helena Morton, and Jared Vallimont-Korbal; her great-grandchildren, Ellie and Remi Smyth, Caston Clark, Adelaide Evans, and Myles Calder; and her siblings, Charlette Curtis and Patricia Anderson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 pm at Nie Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108. A funeral service will take place Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 420 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, followed by burial at Glen Eden Lutheran Memorial Park in Livonia, Michigan.