Barton Deiters

I had a dream about you last night. You were sitting at the table in my new home, we were having coffee. You finally got to interview me since my heart transplant. You had on that funky plaid jacket and your thick dark black glasses blue jeans and your tennis shoes. We discussed the day that you visited me in the heart center when I was feeling so hopeless. And with that crooked smile of yours and your sense of humor we were laughing but it’s not been three years since my transplant. I told you I would forever be grateful For that sense of hope that you gave me. Then we promised because of all the variables going on that you would get to do a three-year post transplant interview with me. But because your life was taken too early that interview did not happen until last night in my dream. To Lorena and Barts family, I can’t tell you anything about bird that you don’t already know. What I can tell you is that as a paralegal I connected with Bart early on and we became professional friends quickly. I had respect for Bart as reporter. He was always searching for unbiased facts and reporting in a straightforward unbiased way. He was a huge factor in my life when I was in the heart center dying from heart failure and feeling hopeless. I know some time has gone down the road since Bart left us but my condolences are with you in my memories of Bart and that visit that afternoon at the heart center, changed my life forever.

- Hedda Britt

When I found out Saturday morning, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing ! I had seen the special on his progress, which was slow but sure at the time, on Woodtv 8, and had hoped he was still making strides.... My Prayers, thoughts & Hugs to his family and friends, co-workers. May he now be Free and Rest In Peace !!! Never had the honor of meeting him, but So Respected him as a Journalist ! A Barton Fan ! Sincerely, Sharon Preiksha, Comstock Park, Mi

- Sharon Preiksha

Dear Lorena and family, I never met Bart but I saw him almost every night on WOOD TV so I felt like I knew him as he beamed into my living room. What a wonderful picture you have posted with his obituary - it certainly captures his smile and the twinkle in his eye. "There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains". I think his light will be around for a long time.......

- Sharon Wolfe

i will keep his family in my prayers

- KATHY OLIVER

Heartbroken in Hamilton. RIP Barton. Prayers to the family and all who held him dear.

- James Engbers Jr. and Jeanne Marie Pepin

I caught West Nile virus, Encephalopatholitis, and Meningitis in 2013 as well. This occured in Colorado. My heart goes out to all who mourn Bart. I tried to email him an encouragement letter on Friday with a picture of my Green Alumni shirt that I had earned at Mary Free Bed.

- Michele Gannon

I am so very saddened to hear of Bart’s passing. I didn’t know him personally; just from being a TV-8 viewer. I am so sorry for his family. Heartbreaking news.

- Marti Disler

I was heartbroken to hear that Bart passed away. I held high hopes when he returned home and I wanted to believe that he would regain much of his health and abilities. What a wonderful, compassionate man and smart, diligent reporter. He fought for social justice, asked tough questions and was always able to create a compelling, meaningful presentation of the story at hand. My clients benefited from the fact that he covered their stories in an accurate manner with great compassion. To his family -- may your memories of your time with Bart help you through your grief. He made the world a better place. I will miss him.

- Christine Yared