Julie A. Barton

Julie Ann Cornelius Barton Yakonuhsaniyo (She builds a strong house), of Oneida, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026. She was born on July 20, 1939, at Tomah Indian Hospital to the parents of Frances Sickles and Charles Cornelius. Julie married love of her life Robert W. Barton on November 25, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois at Lincoln Methodist Church. Together, they built a life rooted in love, family, hard work, and countless memories that will be treasured forever.

Julie was a woman who spent much of her life giving herself to others. Her dedication and her community began early in her career as an Oneida Language teacher at Freedom Elementary School. Her love for teaching and for her people continued throughout her life, leading her to serve the Oneida Tribe for 10 years as an Education Job Training Counselor with the JTPA Program.

Julie's commitment to her community extended into public service, where she served on the Oneida Business Committee as a Councilwoman from 1969-1972 and again from 1990-1993. She continued her service as Secretary of the Oneida Nation from 1993-2004.

For decades, Julie gave her time, her knowledge, and her heart in service to others. Whether through education, leadership, or simply being there for the people she loved, she made a lasting difference in the lives of many. Julie carried a deep love for her community, her people, and the generations who came after her. Her legacy of service, kindness, and dedication will continue to live on in all those she touched.

Julie found happiness in the simple, beautiful things in life. She loved tending to her flower gardens, watching the flowers bloom after all her hard work, and canning fruits and vegetables from her husband's garden. She also loved to cook, whether it was making her homemade pies or her cornsoup, you felt her love in her cooking. Her hands were often busy, but her heart was always open. She had a way of making people feel loved, welcomed, and cared for.

And nothing brought Julie more joy than her grandchildren. She loved and adored each and every one of them, and her love extended through every generation of her family. Her family was her greatest pride, her greatest joy, and the most beautiful part of her life's story.

Julie is survived by five children: Robert C. (Kerry) Barton, Nancy Barton, Larry (Jane) Barton, Lori (Mel) Webster, Kendall (Sue) Barton, and her special son John (Mary) VanStippen. She is further survived by her 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Cleo Cornelius; her brother-in-law, Walter Barton; Mary Ann Holiday, and Harry (Lois Ann) Chapman. And many close friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Robert W. Barton; her parents: Frances Sickles and Charles Cornelius; siblings: Harriet (Norbert Sr.) Jorgensen, Harold Cornelius, Harrison (Louise) Cornelius, Merlin (Janice) Cornelius, Evangeline VanStippen, Roberta (Rueben) Anderson, Irene (Leroy) Lenhart, Charlene Cornelius, Wayne Cornelius and Ronald (Rosalea) Cornelius; her grandchild, Jason Peters; and one great-great-grandchild, Kota Barton Wilkerson. Close friends: Shirley Hill, Donna Richmond, Joy Ninham and Irene Moore.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Unity Hospice staff, Rabihah and Melissa. Also, Oneida Community Health for their kindness and excellent care to Julie.

Friends and family may visit Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home in Seymour, WI on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 9:00 am until the funeral service at 12:30 pm. The Oneida Hymn Singers will have a song service at 12 noon. Following the service, burial will be at Oneida Sacred Burial Grounds.