Mary June Barton passed away in the early morning of May 21, 2025.  She was born October 24, 1925 in Ash Grove, MO to Zopher and Golden Zongker and grew up in the Walnut Grove/Willard areas.  She attended Senior High School in Springfield, MO.

She met James (“Jimmie”) W. Barton, her future husband, while riding her bicycle in the neighborhood.  He stopped to help her fix her broken bicycle chain one day and the rest became history.  They were married on July 2, 1942 Rev W.E. Dowell.

Jimmie was drafted in WWII as a co-pilot into the Army Air Corp, which caused them to move around the country during his training.  After the end of the war, they moved back to Springfield to be near family.  A few years later, they welcomed their first daughter, Nancy, followed by Elizabeth, and then Jeanette.

Mary worked in the billing department of Lily Tulip for many years.  She was also an accomplished seamstress, pianist, and cook.  She even won a 1^st place, grand prize stove in a cooking contest at the Ozark Empire Fair, where she wowed the judges with her version of a Banana Chiffon cake.  She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, rarely missing a game on tv, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and a jigsaw puzzle aficionado.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandma, and Gigi, and enjoyed cooking many delicious special meals for her family.  Whether large holiday spreads or celebratory birthday dinners, she put much love and care into all that she did for her family.  These gatherings not only delighted her family’s tastebuds, but also created wonderful memories that helped each of them feel rooted and a part of her amazing family.

She was a life-long member of High Street Baptist Church since its inception in 1936.  Her faith was an integral part of her life and influenced everything that she did.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie; son Barry Barton; sisters Loleta Dayton and Ruby Bell; and son-in-law Stephen Smay.

She is survived by her sister Annabelle Sheridan; brother Tommy Zongker; three daughters Nancy Smay, Elizabeth (“Liz”) Trussell (Chris), Jeanette Mohr (Chris); grandchildren Sarah Daly (Jesse), Erin Smay, Tyler Trussell (Lorrie), and Alex Mohr; great-grandchildren Miles Daly, Conor Daly, Eloise Trussell, and Baby Trussell #2.

Visitation will be at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 12pm followed by services at 1pm with Pastor Eddie Lyons officiating.  Burial will be at Greenlawn North Cemetery.

If you wish to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, it can be made to the Springfield Public Schools Foundation – Steve Smay Scholarship, https://www.supportsps.org/donate/ .  Thank you to The Fremont Senior Living and St Croix Hospice staff for their compassionate care for Mary June.