Writer Pays Tribute to Barton Family

As we age,  there are certain people in our community we wish we had thanked before they passed. Our society will line up to pay their condolence to the family of their departed loved one. Why not say that, thank you, now? Harvey and Carole Barton have shared their love for our community for more years than I can recall. The following is a simple way to say thank you, for the love they have shown to so many in our community. I hope many will share that kindness.

Can you recall that house on the corner from your youth, the one with the most delightful decorations for every holiday? There was a couple living there who reminded me so much of my grandparents. During Christmas, Santa would listen patiently to my wishes. Afterward, he’d assure me that he’d be watching over me, offering a warm hug and a candy cane before I left. 

Each year, my sister and I looked forward to Halloween, eager to spot ghosts, goblins, and witches perched in the trees at that same house. Our parents would take us trick-or-treating there, and what I remember most fondly are the hugs and the coveted Hershey Bar they handed out as Halloween candy. At that time, I didn’t know their names, but every year, Santa and Mrs. Claus were there to brighten our holidays with a hug and a candy cane. Even as the seasons changed and we visited Halloween, their kindness never wavered. 

That special couple always greeted us with smiles and kind words, wherever we encountered them—whether at the grocery store, the county fair, or local festivals. They never failed to share a smile and an extra hug while chatting with my parents. Years later, I discovered their names: Harvey and Carole Barton. For more than fifty years, they have graciously welcomed others into their home. Harvey served our country with honor in Vietnam and dedicated over thirty years to the Crawfordsville Police Department. Carole devoted herself to raising their family and worked at both the Montgomery County Courthouse and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. 

As time passes, everyone finds their own way to remember those who made an impact in their lives. Society often expresses farewells by sharing stories with the families of loved ones, one after another, as each beloved individual departs. These shared memories help keep their legacy alive and bring comfort.

Remember the night you got caught out late. Harvey took you home and parked your car instead of taking you to jail. When knocking on your door, your dad answers, and Harvey tells Dad what you did. It may have been the worst night of your life, having Harvey bring you up to your parents’ front door, but you never forgot it.  

For over fifty years, Harvey and Carole Barton have shared their warmth and generosity with our community, touching the lives of countless children and adults alike. Their decorated home has been a centerpiece for neighborhood celebrations, and their acts of kindness have made every holiday more memorable. While not everyone has a child to take trick-or-treating, expressing gratitude can be as simple as sharing a note or a memory. Whether it’s a message scribbled on a napkin, a quick thank you on a Post-it, a cherished photo of yourself on Santa’s lap, or a smiley face drawn on a Christmas card, the gesture does not need to be elaborate to be meaningful. 

Why not help Harvey and Carole share those memories? Let them know you haven’t forgotten those cherished memories and their lasting impact. Harvey and Carole’s dedication to holiday cheer is evident in how they decorated for nearly every occasion, making their home a beacon of joy. Although they may not recall each individual or every moment when they brightened someone’s day, their impact remains. The feeling of love and belonging you experienced as a child, returning to your parents with a single candy cane after meeting Santa, is a testament to the Bartons’ generosity. 

The Power of a Simple Thank You. Why not share a little kindness and say thank you for the kindness and love.. Let them know how much they mean to you. Sending a note, even one with just your name, can speak volumes more than you might realize. Delivering that note, or having your child deliver it when you visit the Barton house for trick-or-treating, is a meaningful way to show appreciation. As you travel west on US 136, you’ll know the house by the ghost haunting the trees in the front yard. Share a little kindness, and blessings will surely follow.  Last year, the Bartons shared more than 500 Hershey bars of candy without their little ones. The year before the number was more than 450…. Let’s share a note and offer a word of kindness and say thank you.

DeAntha Wright Thornburg is a local resident and wanted to share these thoughts on the Barton family.