Jerome Barta

Jerome Barta, 101, of Eagle Lake, Texas, died June 14, 2016, in Wharton, Texas. Jerome was born on March 26, 1915, to John E. and Frances Jalufka Barta, in Schulenburg, TX. Jerome attended high school until his mid teens, when he went to work full time on the family farm. He was also employed as a sales clerk at Sellers Mercantile Company, before enlisting in the Army on May 5, 1941. He served honorably in the 46th Engineer General Services Regiment as a cook, and combat soldier as needed. He served in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippine Islands. While he was asked to stay, at the conclusion of the war he could not wait to get back to his farm and his cows. He was discharged on September 5, 1945. During his service he was awarded three Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and a Distinguished Unit Citation WD GO No 21. Upon his return, he focused on farming his land. He raised cotton, feed and corn, as well as cattle. He lived in the same clapboard house from 1932, until shortly before his death. While he never married, he was surrounded by his loving family until the end. He was preceded in death by his parents and six of his seven brothers and sisters. He was survived by his brother Irving “Buster” Barta and his wife Wilma and sister-in-law Earlene Barta, as well as nine nieces and four nephews. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at Wharton Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m., also at Wharton Funeral Home. Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www. whartonfuneralhome.com.