 Born in Morton in 1933, he married the love of his life,
Shirley, in 1964, and they remained devoted to one another. Those
who knew him well say that he was a man of conviction, fiercely
dedicated to his wife, his family, his friends and his community.
Jack passed quickly from our midst on Friday, April 5.
At 80 years of age Jack was still very active in the community.
His positive spirit and humorous wit will be missed, especially by
those he was involved with through the tourism bureau and Kiwanis.
He was engaged at many meetings and activities all of last month.
A Kiwanis member since 1961, the Lincoln group recognized him in
2001 for over 30 years of perfect attendance at their meetings and
functions.
Bridget Schneider, Kiwanis president, offered these thoughts:
I have many fond
memories of Jack in regard to Kiwanis and will share a few of them:
1. Jack was
friendly. He would greet me every time I saw him with a hearty
"hello," which made me feel as though he was glad I was there.
2. Jack was usually
the first member at every meeting or event. His eagerness was an
inspiration to all of us.
3. Jack had a great
sense of humor and he would often share a joke or comment on
something funny during our meetings.
4. Jack was honest
and dependable. He often manned the ticket and cash collection area
at our fundraisers.
5. Jack believed in
community service and dedicated himself to the Kiwanis Club of
Lincoln as a means to fulfill that service.
The club meets
every Tuesday at noon, but this past Tuesday there was someone
missing. I doubt we will ever feel comfortable with the void that
has been created at Jack's passing.
At the start of a tourism bureau meeting last month, he kiddingly
introduced himself as "Jack Bartelmay, troublemaker," and began
chuckling, bringing the room to laughter.
For many years his wife, Shirley, served as director and
volunteer coordinator for Postville Courthouse. Jack was always by
her side and spent as much time helping to promote Postville as she
did. The two made the site a destination and significant stop for
many visitors, seeing an increase in international guests and Route
66 adventurers wanting to know more about Abraham Lincoln.
Geoff Ladd of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County
will always remember Jack along with Shirley as being the first real
friendships he made when he came to Lincoln.
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"Jack and Shirley Bartelmay were my first friends in Lincoln when
I moved here nearly eight years ago to assume the role as county
tourism director," said Ladd. "I quickly realized how much help he
was to Shirley behind the scenes as she diligently worked as
volunteer coordinator of Postville Courthouse. Jack always told it
like it was and never minced words. He also had a terrific sense of
humor. But what everyone will always remember is how much he cared
about Shirley. He told me on several occasions how much he
appreciated her. ‘She's a keeper,' he'd say. So was Jack, and to so
many. I will always miss him."
For Jack, having a friend meant first being a friend. He looked
out for those he cared about and was always there when they had a
need.
Perhaps one person who knows that best is Myron Aper. He and Jack
were friends for many years. Aper recalled that he had so many
stories of great times he'd shared with Jack that one article
probably couldn't hold them all.
Myron and Jack met as co-workers at Langellier's, the local Ford
dealership, in 1974. Their friendship grew and they continued to be
friends long after Langellier's was gone.
Aper remembered some of the times when Jack showed just how much
he cared about his friends, saying Jack was probably one of the best
friends he had ever had.
"When I had cancer and my heart attack, Jack was the first one
there to check on me," Aper said. "Even when there was a fire across
the street, Jack came running to New Holland to make sure we were
OK."
When asked if he had any funny stories to tell, Myron said, "Most
of them are not printable, but we sure had a good time! He was truly
one-of-a-kind."
Jack crossed paths with many locally over the years, having been
employed by Xamis Ford of Lincoln. He had also previously owned a
vehicle dealership.
Services for Jack were at 10 a.m. Wednesday at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home. He was laid to rest in Zion
Cemetery, Lincoln.
While it was obviously a hard day for many, we know that the good
memories of Jack Bartelmay will help carry his family and friends
through. And, while he is one of those whom we wish we could have
kept here with us forever, we also know that heaven's gates have
been opened and God has brought home yet another one of his Logan
County "keepers."
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