November 11, 2009
Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Ralph Henry "Pat" Barto, 92, of 55 Brick Church Road, Montgomery, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 10th, 2009 at the Muncy Valley Skilled Nursing Unit, where he was recently a guest.

Ralph was born in Wolf Township, PA on Aug. 12, 1917, the son of the late Calvin and Olive (Seid) Barto.

He graduated from the former Montgomery-Clinton High School in 1938. He was an avid high school sportsman, playing on their champion football and basketball teams. He was inducted into the Montgomery Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He was both a player and manager for the West Branch Baseball and was also a manager for little league baseball. He also played church softball.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a gunners mate 3rd Class during WW II. He was a member and past commander of the Montgomery American Legion. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran 'Brick' Church in Montgomery, and he was also the oldest member of the Montgomery Fire Department.

After serving an apprenticeship, Pat was a self-employed plumber in the Montgomery and surrounding areas. An avid fisherman and hunter, he was a member of Hunting Camp 31.

Pat was preceded in death by sisters, Ethel, Jean, Clara and Lois; and brothers, Carl, Calvin, Paul, Charles and Arthur.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, L. Marguerite 'Peg' (Starr) Barto.

Ralph is survived by three sons, Robert Barto and his wife Patti of Penn Yan, N.Y.; William Barto and his wife Terry of Nashville, Tenn. and, Philip Barto of Leland, N.C.; daughter in-law, Donna Barto of Horseheads, N.Y.; three sisters, Helen Kreppeneck, Mazie Miller, and Katie LaForme, all of Montgomery; grandchildren, Brenda, James, Casey, Jessica, Justin, Tyrone and Angela; and great-grandchildren, Sage, Colby, Logan, Jada and Aiyana; and nieces and nephews.