Keith Stuart Barton

Keith S. Barton 1937-2010 Keith Stuart Barton lost his long battle with prostate cancer on Friday, August 6, at home surrounded by family.  Keith was born on July 27, 1937 in Gary, Indiana, son of Maurice and Audrey (Durland) Barton.   Keith was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School.  Upon graduation, he attended the University of Tennessee, Wabash College, and graduated from Southwest Missouri State (Missouri State) where he played basketball and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.  In 1961, Keith began a long and rewarding career with The Upjohn Company, retiring in 1993 as Vice President of the Worldwide Dermatology Division.  After retiring, Keith formed The Barton Consulting Group until 2002.  In late 2007, Keith joined Anderson Bros. Steamatic as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Keith was a very generous and giving person who made everyone he met feel special.  His engaging smile and the way he cared for others made him an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.  Among his many passions were spending time with family and friends, watching his son play golf, assisting his daughter and granddaughter with their coaching, watching his grandson play baseball and basketball, and hunting with his brother, nephew, and friends. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joyce, his brother, William, and bother-in-law, Jack Willsey.  Surviving are his wife Julie, son, Eric Drogosch, daughters, Lisa Barton and Beth (Doug) Covey, grandchildren, Alyssa and Nevin Covey, brother, John (June) Barton, sister, Dorothy Willsey, sisters-in-law, Doris Barton (Paul) Verson, Judy McGee, Jane Cudahy, Sandy (Ed) Ruszkowski, Sue (Ken) Taft, mother-in-law, Sally Monroe (Leonard Worth), father-in-law, Roger (Mary) Monroe, as well as many loved family and friends.  Keith will be missed greatly by all that knew and loved him.  A celebration of Keith's life will include a visitation on Friday, August 13 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and a memorial service on Saturday, August 14, at 1:00 pm.  Both will take place at the Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church (7028 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI 40924).  Memorial contributions can be made to either Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or Hospice of Southwest Michigan.  Cremation arrangements by Avink Funeral Home, Schoolcraft, MI. Please go to either caringbridge.org or www.avinkcremation.com if you wish to send a memorial note about Keith.