Kenneth Bartholomew

Kenneth Dee Bartholomew, Jr., of Wilmington, North Carolina, formerly of Kalamazoo and Paw Paw, Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of December 31, 2024 just a day after his eighty-first birthday. He was born on December 30, 1943 in Marshall, Michigan to Kenneth D. Bartholomew, Sr. and Jayne (Smith) Bartholomew.

He began a career in Dining Services at Western Michigan University in 1967 and retired as Director of Dining Services in 2005. Under his supervision a number of changes took place including menu improvements and the development of focused menu concept offerings throughout the university community.

Ken married Cheryl Vollink in 1967. While that union did not last, two exceptional sons, (Todd and Christopher) were born to them. In 1985, he married Jeanine (Burnham) Bartholomew. Ken was so happy when two beautiful daughters-in-law joined the Bartholomew family. And he was over-joyed to welcome his two grandsons.

He had a wide variety of interests. As a child, he spent many wonderful summers with his Grandpa and Grandma Smith fishing, hunting, and exploring various places in Michigan. As an adult, Ken became a skilled outdoorsman, hunting and fishing whenever he got the chance. Later in life, he worked with builders to design a beautiful cedar home on School Section Lake in Michigan. He often told friends that he was lucky because he could hunt deer on the back of his property and fish in the lake out front. He also spent time salmon and steelhead fishing on Lake Michigan. He took yearly trips to the Upper Peninsula to hunt grouse with family and friends. And he very successfully hunted with his longbow in Michigan and out west in Colorado. His outdoor pursuits also included golf. He always looked forward to a yearly golf outing with his sons.

Ken loved to entertain, and many holidays and celebrations were held at the lake house. He was an excellent and adventurous cook. He planted a large garden every year. His green thumb was so successful that much of his bounty was shared with family and friends.

After moving to North Carolina, he continued to enjoy fishing and golf with new friends. He also continued to raise vegetables in his gardens. He grilled and smoked those vegetables along with meat and fish which family and friends always enjoyed.

Ken was an animal lover and shared his life with a number of canines including Reggie, Brooke, Parker, Maggie, Tess, Kita, Belle, and Hunter who are now with him forever. Hatch and Finn live on and will bring great comfort to the family.

Ken loved his family and so enjoyed spending time with them. Every party, every visit, every celebration brought him great joy and peace. He was an incredibly proud husband, father, and papa.

Ken is survived by his wife of 39 years Jeanine, his sons Todd (Dana) of Wilmington, NC and Christopher (Beverly) of Macedonia, OH, two grandsons: Tyler Kessler and Zachary Bartholomew, a brother Patrick (Jo-Anne) Bartholomew, a nephew Tyler Bartholomew, and a brother-in-law Chris Burnham.

He is pre-deceased by his father and mother, father-in-law James Burnham, mother-in-law Erma-Jo Burnham, and brother-in-law James Burnham.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ken's life for family and North Carolina friends will be held in February at the Andrews Mortuary and Crematory on Market Street in Wilmington. His ashes will be scattered back in Michigan where a second celebration of his life will be held in the summer.

Memorials in Ken's name may be directed to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), ASPCA.org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">www.ASPCA.org.

Ken was a great man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He will forever be missed. We were so lucky to have him in our lives.