John Henry Ford Bartholomew

John H. Bartholomew was born December 27, 1923, in Hershey, Nebraska, to Earnest John and Maude Marie (Briggs) Bartholomew and died July 25, 2008, after a long struggle with lung and digestive problems, at the age of 84 years, 6 months, and 28 days.

John grew up and lived most of his life in the Mankato, Kansas, farming community. He attended country schools in Jewell County.

On September 14, 1942, he enlisted in the Navy at age 17. He served on the cruiser U.S.S. New Jersey, the largest ship of its kind. While serving on the U.S.S. Jersey, he earned eleven major battle stars in the Pacific Theater. He was discharged on December 18, 1945.

John and Tessie Lorraine Gray were married on January 22, 1945, in Fremont, Ohio. They farmed in the Hardy, Nebraska, area and the Weber, Kansas, area before moving to Mankato in 1958. John enjoyed farming, especially wheat farming, in Jewell County. He looked forward to each new spring season with excitement. He and his family worked hard at the challenge of dry land farming, and were always grateful for the harvest.

John was a life member of V.F.W. Post #7830, a member of Mankato Lion’s Club for several years, and the Harmony United Methodist Church, all of Mankato, Kansas.

Surviving are his wife Tessie; daughter, Nancy Wendling; son, Donn Bartholomew and wife Glenda; son, Richard Bartholomew and wife Deb; six grandchildren, Amy Wendling, Sarah Wendling Pittenger, Darrick Bartholomew, Armeshia Bartholomew Menke, Seth Bartholomew, and Tanner Bartholomew; two great-grandchildren, Tessa Menke and Aiden Bartholomew, two broths, Carl Bartholomew and Paul Bartholomew, and s sister, Marie and husband, Little Ritchie Ells.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Earnest and Maude Bartholomew; brothers, LeRoy Bartholomew, Kale Bartholomew, and Loren Bartholomew; sister Elva Bartholomew Kramp; and grandson Justin Bartholomew.

A celebration of John H. Bartholomew life was held on Monday, July 28, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Tessa Zehring of Harmony United Methodist Church officiating. Music was provided by Amy Wendling and Sarah Pittenger. Casket bearers were: Amy Wendling, Sarah (Wendling) Pittenger, Justin Pittenger, Darrick Bartholomew, Armeshia (Bartholomew) Menke, Seth Bartholomew, and Tanner Bartholomew. Military honors were preformed by V.F.W. Post No. 7830. Mankato, Kansas, and United States Navy. Interment followed services at the cemetery. The family receive friends and family Sunday, July 27, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at Melby Mortuary in Mankato Kansas.

Memorials may be made to the Senior Citizen’s Center in Mankato, Kansas.
Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrang