John Paul Barton, veteran, retired police officer
John Paul Barton, 75, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born March 30, 1948, in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Sam and Mary Theresa (Giblin) Barton.
A native of Baltimore, John was a graduate of Baltimore City College. After college, John answered the call to defend his country and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, John’s path led him to a career in law enforcement, and he enjoyed a lengthy career as a police officer for the city of Baltimore. He had many interests; he was an avid fisherman and loved being on the water with a fishing pole in his hand. John was fascinated with anything that had a motor, whether it be boats, classic cars, or Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Active in the community, he was a member of the VFW, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the American Legion, where he made many friendships through the years. His devotion to his family, however, took precedence above all, and the time spent with those he held dear was what he cherished most. John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his devoted fur babies and sidekicks, his dogs, Maggie, Sailor and Abbey. John is survived by his dearest wife, Sandy Barton; his children, Michelle Shifflett (Ray), Bryan Barton (Jennifer), and Michele Schuler; his grandchildren, Raymond Shifflett (Paige), Adam Shifflett, Kristen Lockett, Jessica Sipe, Makayla Emrick, Katie Bowersox, Jeremy Schuler and Leah Barton; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Giermek; his brother-in-law, Chuck Bowersox (Sue); sister-in-law, Barb Koch (Paul); many beloved nephews and nieces; and his most recent furry friends, Daisy May and Kiki.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 15, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in John’s memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org; or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, woundedwarriorproject.org.
Visit John’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
