Sarah Sue Barton

Sarah Sue (Janose) Barton (“Sam”), aged 74, of Middleville, MI and Englewood, FL, died November 5, 2021 after living with cancer for some time. She will be greatly missed. Beloved and treasured, she is survived by her husband, Larry; her children, Larry Barton (Roberta), Jennifer Zimelis (John), Chris Barton (Dena); her sister, Barb Stilwell; brothers, Mick Janose (Dorothy), and Chet Janose; 3 grandsons, John, Nik and Ben; 2 step-granddaughters, Taylor (Jazzmyn) and Emily (fiancé Austin); many, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Dorothy Janose; sisters, Martha Bauer, Pat Warner, Kathy Haukom and brother, Pete Marciniak. Sarah was a seamstress, singer, artist, poet, interior decorator, fisher, hunter, gardener, photographer and much more. She loved her family above all but also enjoyed nature, a good book, playing cards, and mahjong. Sarah was born at home in Plainwell, Michigan, in December 1946, the last of the 7 children of Mack and Dorothy Janose. The family moved to a farm on Parmalee Rd. in Freeport when she was 3 months old. She loved this land and often spoke of it. Her parents moved to Kalkaska when she was 16, selling the farm to the state, and Sarah went to live with her sister Barb and Don Callahan in Cutlerville. Shortly after, she met her true love, Larry. She and Larry married in 1965, settling at first in Caledonia, and later, on their own farm on the corner of Parmalee and M-37, where they raised their family. Sarah took care of many of her nieces and nephews when they were young, forging a strong family bond. Family was so important to her. She loved to bring family together, no matter the reason—Fourth of July, Christmas, family reunions, or Tuesday, it didn’t matter to her, and she loved either hosting or attending family gatherings. Many a Friday night was spent playing cards with friends and family! Sarah loved to travel and was able to visit many places over the years—an extensive European tour, Hong Kong, and many places across the United States. She and Larry decided about 10 years ago to become snowbirds, picking a second home in the Englewood, Florida area, where she soaked up the sun and enjoyed the mild weather. She worked at many different jobs over the years, but one of her favorite jobs was working for Erhardt Construction as the office manager while they built the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. She was so proud to be part of that team and wear her pink hard hat. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 17 from 4-7pm, with a Vigil Liturgy at 6pm, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main, Caledonia, and from 10-10:45am at the church on Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 18 at 11am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft SE, Caledonia. To honor Sarah, memorial donations can be made to Holy Family, American Cancer Society or Tidewell Hospice Englewood Hospice House.