Barbara Ann Burton

Barbara Ann Burton, age 89 years, of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, traveler, homemaker, and runner died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at her home.

She was born on March 8, 1934 in Galien Township, Michigan to George A. and Christina M. (Sauvage) Obendorfer, and attended Galien schools, completing her high school courses as an adult at Niles Community Schools.  For several years, she and her husband owned and operated the former Twin Gables tavern on Eleventh Street in Niles, next-to Andy Legus Shell gas station.  Her true vocation was at home as a homemaker, mother, and wife.  She has lived in Niles most of her life.

Barbara was a regular Sunday morning worshipper at the nearest church to her home, whether in Galien, in Niles, or on the north side when she lived on River Bluff Street, and walked across the street to Fairland Christian Church.  She enjoyed travelling, visiting China and Europe, and wintering in Punta Gorda, Florida.  At home, she maintained flower gardens, sunflowers, and vegetable gardens, the produce of which she canned for year-around use.  She was also a great cook, keeping her family well-fed, and satisfied, and making good use of her garden.

She was a member of the Monday Night Running Club, and like most members, was faithful to its namesake schedule.   She completed several marathons, including a marathon in Hawaii, and successfully completed both the hiking descent into the Grand Canyon, and the ascension up and out of the canyon.  She was a regular at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day “Turkey Trot”, even in her 70s.

On July 15, 1950 in Roseland, Indiana she married Louis C. Ehninger.  They lived on Michigan Street in Niles, less than a block from the Twin Gables, and he stopped at the Koffee Cup Restaurant at Michigan and 11^th – half-way between their home and business – when he tragically lost his life in a homicide on December 18, 1964. 

On July 1, 1977 in Buchanan, Michigan she married James E. Burton, who preceded her in death on May 15, 1992.   She was also preceded in death by a son, Louis Todd Ehninger on July 16, 2014; by her sister, Janice Webber on April 22, 2023; and by her companion of thirty years – and fellow runner – William Fowler on January 13, 2023.

Surviving family includes her children, Steven Louis Ehninger of Buchanan, and Gail (& Don) Barlow of Niles; grandchildren, Charles Ehninger, and Michael (& Stephanie) Hartline; great-grandchildren Katelynn Hartline and Matthew Ehninger; and Barbara’s sister, Georgia Williamson of Seneca, South Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Barbara Burton will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Committal Services will be private on Thursday, with Mr. Don Fleischman of Fairland Christian Church officiating at Mission Hills.  Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Barbara’s nearly ninety years clearly exceeds the Biblical 70 or 80 years, and she used all of those years well, being active up to the day of her death.   She traveled to the most exotic ends of the earth, ran the most extreme races, and survived intense tragedy and grief, yet still planted flowers, and put-up vegetables for next-year.  And through all of her years, the people in her life gave her meaning and focus, especially those closest to her, fulfilling the command to love God and love people.