Claude W. Bartholomew

BARTHOLOMEW, Claude W.
Of Portage, Michigan Claude passed away late Wednesday evening, April 14, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born January 16, 1920 in Kalamazoo, the son of Jesse Andrew and Ida Marhoff Bartholomew. A 1939 graduate of Vicksburg High School, Claude worked as a farmer for many years. In 1954, he started Bartholomew Heating and Cooling. On August 30, 1968, he was united in marriage to Frances L. Heffner Piller in Plainwell. He was an avid sports fan always supporting his Michigan teams: Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Pistons. He supported and coached Little League Baseball when his children were in school. Claude also enjoyed golfing and hunting in his spare time. Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Frances Bartholomew; seven children, Patricia Robert Greene, August William Cathy Piller, Donna Bartholomew, Joseph Tracee Piller, Linda George Truman, Susan Jon Dickens Piller, and Michael Pamela Bartholomew; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister-in-law, Jessie Bartholomew; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his first wife, Emily Bartholomew in 1967; his parents; and two brothers, George and Russell Bartholomew. Private family services will be a later date and there will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be directed to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign Claude's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family.