Maxine Barton

Maxine Barton met her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at St Luke Living Center in Marion Kansas. She was born on July 25, 1931 to Louis and Carlye Belle (Williamson) Hoffner in Tiltonsville, Ohio. One of seven children, Maxine’s family followed work across the Midwest and Texas until settling in New Albany, Kansas when she was nine years old. She attended grade school in New Albany and graduated from Fredonia High School.

In 1955 she married Eugene Spinder and from this union came two daughters, Sharon and Cathy. In 1970 she married Warren Barton. She worked at Beech Aircraft and as a Certified Nurse Assistant at St Francis Hospital and Wesley Medical Center until moving to Lincolnville to be closer to her mother. She drove the Special Education school bus for USD 397 Centre School district for 11 years, retiring in 1995. 

Maxine was a devoted Grandmother and Mother, and especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up nearby, attending many of their activities and ball games at Centre. She loved music, playing the organ, accordion and guitar, and listening to bluegrass and country music. She was a good cook and especially enjoyed making desserts and pies for the holidays. Maxine was a member of the Lincolnville United Methodist Church, Lincolnville Senior Citizens Group, Senior Citizens of Marion County Board and was very honored to serve as Grand Marshal of the Lincolnville Octoberfest Parade. She also enjoyed puzzles, crocheting, fishing, learning about medical issues and later in life even learning to operate the computer. 

She is survived by her daughters Sharon (Clay) Simons of Lincolnville and Cathy (Bill) Perez of Wichita; grandchildren Carlye (Mandy Calderon) Simons of Eugene, Oregon, Ty Simons of Denver, Colorado and Cacey (Luke) Sizemore of Maize, Kansas; brother James (Marty) Hoffner of Durham, Kansas, sisters Wanita Nardi, Gahanna, Ohio and Bonita Boone of New Albany, Ohio; sister-in-law Hazel Hoffner of Marion, Kansas; her beloved dog Sammy and very special friends Barbara Craney, Ruth Tajchman, Paula Brom and Evelyn Matz. 

She was preceded in death by her father Louis Hoffner, mother and stepfather Carlye and Fred Lewis, husband Warren Barton, and brothers Billy Wayne Hoffner, Bob Hoffner and Richard Hoffner. 

A heartfelt thank you to the staff of St Luke Living Center for the care they gave Maxine over the past two and a half years. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to USD 397 Centre School District or St Luke Living Center. 

When tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we are far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here in your heart,

When tomorrow starts without me, 

Please try to understand, 

An angel came and called my name, 

And took me by the hand.