Barbara Arthurton

Shawnee resident, Barbara Ellen Arthurton, 81, went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 26, 2015. She was born on December 13, 1934 in Canadaigua, New York to John and Addie (Smith) DeVuyst. Barbara graduated from High School in Palmyra, NY. She married her next door neighbor and high school sweetheart, Robert William Arthurton on February 16, 1957. Robert worked for Mobile, so they moved often before finally settling in Shawnee in 1977. Barbara was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She was active in many things there, including the UMW, the craft group, the prayer chain, and the Spinner group. Barbara loved to bake. She baked and sold cinnamon rolls, saving the money to help the church buy a new van, which proudly says “Barbara’s Van”. Barbara enjoyed crocheting and knitting, camping, and her family most of all. She was a kind, stubborn, funny, and loving woman who never met a stranger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and grandson Alan Bush.

She is survived by her children, Patricia and Rick Bush (Middlesex, NY), Deborah and Mark VanDeMortel (Clifton Spings, NY), Dawn and Paul Cahill (Norman, OK), Laura and Griz Holt (Norman, OK), and David and Christina Arthurton (Shawnee, OK); brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Sharon DeVuyst (New York), Doug and Janet DeVuyst (South Carolina); sisters, Jeanne Arthurton Bartlett (David), Sally Arthurton Hayton (George), Joyce Arthurton Leonard (Harsey) of New York, and Carolyn Arthurton Meaker (Russell) of Missouri; grandchildren, Jessica Thomas, Michael and Matthew (Samantha) VanDeMortel, Robert Arthurton, Adam, Beth and Harli Arthurton, Katie Cahill ; great grandchildren, Dylan and Amanda Thomas, Robert James, Danny Jay, Nickalos and Braxton Arthurton; great-great grandchild; Sophia Ahrens; as well as a host of other family members and friends.

Services will be 10am Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Wesley United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Services are under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.