Dorothy M. Barton was born April 17, 1919, to Harry and Allie Mae (Masterson) Chamberlain. Dorothy had two brothers, Rex and Lester Chamberlain. Their mother died Oct. 27, 1921, of diphtheria. Dorothy was 2, Rex 1 and Lester 7 months. Grandma and Grandpa Masterson raised Dorothy and Rex and Grandma Chamberlain raised baby Lester. Dorothy and Rex were baptized at the Albia Christian Church in Albia, when they were nine and ten. Dorothy married Marvin Franzen in November 1935. Three children were born, Phyllis Marlene in 1936, Patricia LaJean (Jeanne) in 1938, and Larry M. Franzen in 1941.
Dorothy was divorced in 1941. She moved to Des Moines and went to work at the ordinance plant manufacturing ammunition for World War II. Dorothy’s dad, Harry, was remarried to Clara Carson. They had five children, Jack (Eloise) Chamberlain, Wilma (Carl) Vinall, Bob (Shirley) Chamberlain (Bob is deceased, Shirley has remarried a very nice man, Kenny Williams), Donna (Russ) Winburn and Zelma Weiss.
After the war, Dorothy moved to Newton, and met Charles H. Barton. They were married in 1950. Two boys were born, Charles E. and Richard H. Barton. Dorothy had 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. She loved them all dearly.
Through the years, Dorothy had many wonderful friends. Some were members of the Rock Creek Ikettes and more recently, Gladys Ely and others at the East Town Apartments. From the First Christian Church, Maxine Phillips and Clarice Trotter have been long time friends. Dorothy had the bounty of having Ava Weaver come into her home and assist her with her daily chores, cooking, cleaning and running errands. She was a very good companion. Dorothy was especially grateful for this friendship.
Dorothy died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. She was 95 years old.
In addition to her mother, Dorothy was also preceded in death by her father; her husband, Charles; her daughter Jeanne; and her brothers, Rex and Lester.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated in Dorothy’s name to the First Christian Church or Skiff Hospice.