J. Michael Barton passed away June 14, 2020 after a brief fight with cancer. He was born to Robert M. and Wilma Louise Barton on June 6, 1948. He was a 1966 Crawfordsville High School and 1970 Indiana State Graduate. He married Brenda L. Gibbs on June 5, 1971.

Mike spent his first two years teaching in the Northwest Hendricks School Corporation before returning to Crawfordsville where he spent 38 years in the Crawfordville Community School Corporation. He served many different roles as librarian, media specialist, and athletic director at Tuttle Middle School. Mike's final role for CCSC was as Technology Director for the corporation where he guided the schools into new unchartered territory.

Never one to sit down and relax; Mike's retirement was filled with service to his community. He served as President of the Montgomery County Historical Society, Chairman of the Strawberry Festival, a member of the Crawfordsville Park & Recreation Board, and gave tours at the Lane Place. In 2015, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the Montgomery County Community Foundation. There was always time for him to help raise his grandchildren, Campbell and Callan, as they visited almost daily after school for snacks and homework and tried to keep him young.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Brenda (Gibbs), sister Deb (Gerry) Logan of London, Ontario, son Bryce (Julia Perry) of Crawfordsville, daughter Lesli (Chris) White of Crawfordsville, five grandchildren: Cheri McDowell, Gabe Wolf, Clancy Wolf, Campbell White, and Callan White.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Montgomery County Historical Society, attention Jill Matthews, 212 S. Water Street, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Cremation services were chosen by Mike and his family. A small, private family gathering will take place at a future time to honor a life well-served.