Wilson Barto Obituary – Harleysville, PA

WILSON BARTO, SR. Wilson L. Barto, Sr., age 83, of Ruth Court, Harleysville, died Monday, November 1, 2010 at Grand View Hospital in West Rockhill Twp. Born in Weatherly, he was the son of the late Wilson and Lottie (Rinker) Barto. Wilson, a 1945 Weatherly High School graduate, was drafted upon graduation to serve in the United States Army in Germany during World War II. Upon returning, he entered Penn State University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Journalism. Wilson began his career in the newspaper business at the Standard Sentinel in Hazleton and moved to the New Brunswick Home News, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he was political editor. He later moved to The Trenton Times, Trenton, New Jersey, where he served as Washington correspondent for a year and then as city editor. He was a member of the National Press Club and ended his journalism career as city editor of The Trentonian, Trenton, New Jersey. After retiring in 1991, he worked part-time for The Weekly Hearthstone Town and Country newspaper in Red Hill until September 2010. Wilson, known for his mentoring of first-year journalists, was the founding president of Sigma Delta Chi Journalism. Society of New Jersey, which offered the annual Wilson Barto Award for first-year reporters in New Jersey. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mrs. June S. (Reinmiller) Barto; one daughter, Mrs. Gwen (Barto) Shoemaker and her husband, Brent, of Perkiomenville; a son, James Barto, and his wife, Susan, of Harleysville; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson in Texas. He was preceded in death by his son, Wilson L. Barto, Jr., in December 2007. Arrangements are under the care of Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly. On Friday, November 5, 2010 at 11 a.m., private committal services, officiated by the Rev. Amy Boock, will be immediately followed by a graveside service at Union Cemetery in Weatherly. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 6 at 11 a.m. from his home church, Advent Lutheran Church, 470 Landis Road, Harleysville, PA 19438, with Rev. Stephen Godsall-Myers officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to the church at the above address. Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com