Earl Nelson "Doc" Barton, who resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith. He was born October 20, 1926, at the McDonald Farm near Vesta to the late Dr. Earl Barton and Faye (McDonald) Barton. He was 84 years old.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Frances (House) Barton; his brothers-in-law, George Crosby, Earl Grant, and Danny Bunney; one great niece, Krista Bunney.

Nelson was an employee of Burt's Feed and Steel Mill in Charleston until his retirement. He and his wife Frances were friends of Joe Dick and Elaine Burt for many years and spent hours traveling around the countryside.

One of his favorite past times was to take his Border Collies and go to the edge of his farm and whistle instructions to them to round up the cattle and bring them to the fence for us to enjoy. His favorite Collie dog, Peggy, for many years could be seen with him riding on the fender of the Chevrolet Coupe.

He also enjoyed riding his horse, Roxie, for miles around the countryside. He was an avid quail hunter working with his bird dogs, and many Christmas mornings our Christmas present from Nelson was a quail, biscuit, and gravy breakfast with many cups of hot coffee.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 26th at the Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston. Burial will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by his companion, Ruth Maestri of Charleston; three sisters, Sarah Crosby and friend Bill Canessa of Charleston, Frances Nutt and husband Lynn of Ozark, Missouri, and Margaret Grant of Bakersfield, California; one brother, Jerry R. Barton of Charleston. In addition, his nieces and nephews, Bryan and Pat Crosby, Leonard and Lisa (Crosby) Polacek, Jeff and Wanda Crosby, Alan and Linda (Nutt) Carlson, Dr. R. Lane and Cheryl Nutt, Stephen Allen Nutt, Dr. James and Laura Cusator, and Scott Grant.

Pallbearers are Bryan Crosby, Jeff Crosby, Jacob Crosby, Jason Crosby, Scott Grant, Stephen Nutt, Lane Nutt, and David and Daniel Polacek.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Dick Burt, Dr. Bill Burt, Waldo Flynn, Reed Haynes, Jason Haney, Jerry and Willie McDonald, J.C. Moore, Fred and Kriss Schaffer, and Matt Brotherton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greenhurst Family Council; Attn: Kriss Schaffer @ 2816 E Main Charleston, AR 72933.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.