Carol Barto

ADRIAN – Carol Mae Barto, age 66 of Adrian, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009, at her home surrounded by her family, after a brief battle with cancer. Carol was born January 3, 1943, in Garfield Heights, Ohio, the daughter of John and Sophie (Augustyn) Jarzembowski. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University. On September 18, 1965, Carol married Thomas W. Barto in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Tom and Carol had 43 wonderful years of marriage. Carol began her teaching career in Sylvania, Ohio, at Stranahan Elementary School. After raising her family, she returned to teaching and became a beloved English teacher at Adrian High School, where she served as Department Chair. In July of 2005, Carol retired from Adrian Public Schools with over 20 years of service. Carol led a colorful life. She loved being a grandmother most of all. An additional recent passion was the Stubnitz Environmental Education Center where she volunteered. She enjoyed winters in Florida with her sisters. Summers at Catawba Island with her family and friends were very important to Carol. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In addition to her husband, Carol is survived by three daughters: Audrey and her husband, William E. Wells, III of Middletown, MD; Lynne Barto of New Buffalo, MI; and Dr. Judith Barto Gwyer and her husband David of Richmond, VA; five grandchildren, Thomas, 10; Maddie, 9; Henry, 5; Joey, 3; and Theo, 1. Also surviving are two sisters, Henrietta (George) Baranski and Evelyn Stella, both of the Melbourne, Florida area. She was preceded in death by her parents. The Funeral Mass for Carol will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Catawba Island Township Cemetery in Ohio, on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Friends may visit the family at Wagley Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. You may also send condolences to the family at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com. Contributions in memory of Carol may be made to the Stubnitz Environmental Education Center. Envelopes are available at Wagley Funeral Home.