Christa Marie Barton

Christa Marie Barton, 69, of Winnebago passed away Monday, November 11, 2019. Born April 8, 1950, in Columbia, MO, the daughter of Paul H. and Erna (Speicher) Chaney. Christa was a graduate of Geneseo High School, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from ISU, and later earned a Master’s Degree from NIU. She married James “Jim” Barton on November 30, 1974 at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford. Christa taught in Winnebago for 35 years, then spent 7 years as a home-bound tutor in Rockford. Her interests included spending time with her grandchildren, genealogy, crafting, scrapbooking, shopping, and traveling. She was active as a Den Mother/Girl Scout leader, in animal rescue (Basset Hound), as a class advisor, and enjoyed entering contests, winning several trips, cash prizes and even a new vehicle. Christa is lovingly survived by her husband, Jim; children, Brandon J. Barton and Erin (Hector) Flores; grandchildren, Eneida, Everley and Wrenna; great grandson on the way, Jahseh, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Predeceased by her parents; and sister, Margitta Chaney. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Avenue, Rockford IL at 12:00 pm, with a Memorial Visitation from 10:00 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, 111 N. 1st Street, Rockford, IL 61107, www.noahsarkaminals.org. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfuneralhome.com.