Ronald J. Barta, 80 of Elkhorn, WI died Friday February 5, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. He was born February 15, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI the son of the late Clarence E. and Alice J. (Dettlaff) Barta. Ron was a psychiatric social worker for Walworth County Lakeland Counseling Center for over 31 years retiring in 2003. During Ron’s many years at Lakeland Counseling Center, he supervised a substance abuse program and supervised inpatient and outpatient psychiatric departments as well as a co-author of a book regarding substance abuse. Ron received a master degree in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and a philosophy degree from St. Francis De Sales College of Milwaukee, WI. He was ordained a diocesan Catholic priest in 1966, and was the associate pastor for St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Waukesha, WI where he taught religious education classes and volunteered as counselor for alcoholics at Fox Lake Correctional facility. In 1971 Ron resigned from active ministry with the permission of the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. On September 29, 1972 he was united in marriage to Michele M. Grutzmacher in Elkhorn, WI. Ron enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing and doing landscaping projects in his yard. He was member of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Elkhorn, WI and served as a Eucharistic minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ron was a devoted and loving, husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed by his wife of 48 years, Michele, his three daughters: Angelique (Kevin) Miller of Santa Clarita, CA, Noelle and Calise Barta both of Elkhorn, WI, Three grandchildren: Angelina, Joseph and Ava Miller, his sister, Mary Alice Warwick of Brookfield, WI and by a host of other relatives and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his brother, Father Wayne Barta. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Tuesday February 9, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 107 W. Walworth Street Elkhorn, WI with Father Oriol Regales officiating. Visitation will be at church on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Vernon Center Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Ron’s name to: Aurora at Home Hospice. On-line guestbook is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com. Arrangements by Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory Elkhorn, WI.