Richard J. Bartholomew, 86, of North Beaver Twp. passed away Friday, April 7 2017 as a result of a house fire.
Born January 28, 1931 in Burton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Lisle H. and Helen Kotacka Bartholomew. He was married on November 4, 1955 to Kathleen J. Sheets Bartholomew who passed away December 7, 2016. They were married 61 years.
Richard had previously worked at JB Mill and for Veon’s Mining Company. He retired from Rhodes Bus Company where he drove for the Mohawk School District. He enjoyed farming and working his Belgium Draft Horses. He also enjoyed reading, taking daily walks, and going to Pioneer Festivals.
Survivors include three daughters, Corinne (William) Woods of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Colleen Farone of Bessemer, Barbara Yasher of Mt. Jackson; a son, Nelson Bartholomew of North Beaver Twp.; sister, Anita Ryhal of Wampum; eight grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Richard was preceded in death by a son, Daniel in 1990 and a granddaughter, Brenda Woods Dando in 2007.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday April 10 from 5 to 8 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home 341 Main Street Wampum. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 am with Rev. David Clark of Moravia Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.
Sincere Sympathy to the entire family from Jody .
Richard was my friend. He taught me all about draft horses. I have been his friend for 27 years and he will be missed. I have good memories of horse camp at the Great Northern Rendezvous. We spent a week as if it was prior to the year 1850. Every day we sold bread and pies from a horse wagon. He fit in with the old ways. We prepared our food on an open fire and worked horses during the day.
He would bring a team of horses to pull my horse drawn Kid Cart as they were call. A horse drawn school bus that retired in 1923 from Collier Township. We pulled it in parades in Wampum, Ellwood City, Beaver Falls, and Enon Valley. We always had a great time.
Richard, I will think of you often and know you have earned your long sleep. You will get to see your wife and son Dan who was also my friend. Rest well my friend, rest well. Bill Hall New Galilee, Pa.
So sorry for you loss.
Debbie Colbrunn (Ketler)
Vickie Jones (Ketler)
Terry Ketler