//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/001/866/866-life-panel.jpg

Louis Bartholomew

June 2, 1949 - July 20, 2003
Fulton, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg



Visitation

Sunday, July 27, 2003
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


Print

Louis Bartholomew was a gentle and generous man. A hard working family man, Louis was a loving husband and a patient father who would teach and guide his children. He was always more than willing to lend a hand to fix a washing machine, bring a Christmas tree, share a dinner or tell a joke. He would do whatever it took to bring a smile to your face.

In 1949, the country was recovering from the effects of World War II. Harry Truman was elected president, and George Orwell had just published his novel “1984”. Kalamazoo, Michigan was a pleasant and prosperous community. Frank Lloyd Wright was designing and building several of his “Usonian” homes in and around the area. It was in the midst of this post-war peacetime that George and Maxine (Pence) Bartholomew welcomed the birth of their son, Louis, on June 2nd.

Louis, better known as Louie to his friends and family, grew up in the rural area of Scotts, Michigan. As a youngster, Louie loved horses and would help his father show their draft horses at state fairs. They traveled together to fairs in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. While in high school, Louie was a tackle on the high school football team and was one of their star players. When he was a junior, Louie met the love of his life – his future bride – Carol Norton. She was also a junior and the two graduated together from Vicksburg High School in 1967. On May 10, 1969, the high school sweethearts were united in marriage. In 1970, Louie and Carol welcomed the birth of their son, Allen. With the birth of daughter, Amy, following just a few years later, the Bartholomew family was complete. In later years, Amy would say that Mom was the strict parent. It was a family joke when Carol would say, “Wait ‘til your father gets home” if the children had misbehaved. They knew they would not be in trouble with their father. The couple had just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary this year.

Louie was a hard worker, working for Parker/Abex NWL as a machinist. Being a natural leader, he was involved with the union and was on the safety team for the factory. His job was very important to him, but so were the people he worked with. Some of Louie’s best friends were co-workers who shared the good times and the bad times with him. Not content to sit and relax after work, he was a member of the Wakeshma Township Fire Department, where he served as an assistant chief and was a certified EMT. Louie retired after 17 years of dedicated service to the community.

Louie loved the outdoors and loved to share it with his family. A favorite pastime was deer hunting, and his children lovingly remember him wearing a goofy orange hunting cap all the time. Louie thought so much of the sport that he taught his brother-in-law, his son and his nephews to appreciate its joys as well. Camping was another family favorite, and every summer Louie and Carol would take the kids to Oak Shores. Each year the Bartholomews would take a long weekend trip to Mackinac City. This tradition started with just Louie and Carol and the kids, but as their children grew, the grandchildren became part of the yearly trip. It was great fun to sit on the beach and watch the boats go under, and the cars go over, the Mackinac Bridge.

Louie’s love of the outdoors included grilling outdoors. It made no difference whether it was 0 degrees or 110 degrees, Louie would be cooking outside. He was so adamant about this that he had his son, Allen, help him hook the gas grill up to the main gas line so he wouldn’t have to change the gas tank. Louie could always be counted on to share his grilled goodies with friends and neighbors. However, his generosity was not limited to that, his friends and neighbors knew Louie would always be there to lend a helping hand or offer a warm shoulder no matter what.

Even though he was a hard worker, Louie also enjoyed fun and relaxation activities. He was a mechanic at heart and spent many happy hours tinkering with his old 1972 Chevy pick-up. He was not afraid to tackle fix-it projects and would attempt to fix anything – and usually succeeded. His handy-man skills included woodworking and he produced several end tables, coffee tables and sofa tables for family and friends. Unfortunately, this passion was short-lived as it was discovered that his wife, Carol, was allergic to saw dust! Louie enjoyed listening to any of the old country western singers and he especially liked the music of Barbara Mandrell. He collected knick-knacks with a special eye for eagle figurines. Humor rounded out his personality and was a big part of his life, whether telling a funny story or just giving a funny look. This big-hearted man also found the time in his busy life to make a home for his two nephews Jordan and Justin.

Louis Bartholomew was the ultimate family man. His life revolved around his wife, children and grandchildren. He would have done anything for them, but he was more than a husband, a father, a grandfather and a son-in-law. Most of all he was a friend. He touched and blessed the lives of countless people and all who knew him will miss this warm, loving man.

Friends may visit with the family on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel. Memorial Donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.