Obituary of Michael T. Bartley

Michael T. Bartley 73 Fairfield Township, PA Michael T. Bartley was born February 4, 1943 in Cincinnati, OH to Thomas F and Jeanette Bartley. Mike was the oldest of three boys. His brothers are James (Jim) and his wife Diane of St. Joseph MI; Terrance (Terry) and his friend Kathy Divine of Grand Ledge, MI. Mike grew up in the lovely lakeside town of St Joseph, MI where he attended St. Joseph Catholic High School. He talked about and kept in touch with many of his High School classmates often. Following graduation, he attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH and graduated with a BS in 1965. Mike then worked for Ashland Oil Company until he received his draft notice. This is where his life of service to his country began: Mike valiantly went off to war and served in Viet Nam from April 30, 1967 until April 27, 1968 in Tay Ninh and Chu Chi with the 25th Infantry Division. He was attached to the 548th LMC (DC) upon arrival in Viet Nam. Sadly he was unable to attend their Sept reunion. Following his return to the United States, he married Sandra Halbritter. They had two children; Kevin Bartley and his wife Kelly, Amherst, OH and their daughter Morgan; and Katie Bartley, Phoenix, AZ. Mike applied and was accepted to serve his country once again as a Special Agent of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. His first assignment was to Natchez, Mississippi for a year. After that, back home to the Cleveland, OH office where he served as the tall, handsome FBI agent in the Elyria office. Soon after back to the Cleveland office to be part of the Columbian Drug Task Force, a multi agency Fugitive Task Force, the SWAT Team and wherever else he was needed. Mike met and loved agents from all over the U.S and the world as one of the "good guys" helping keep us all safe. Mike and Deborah (Debi Trimble) Bartley were married in 1994 in a lovely chapel in Las Vegas, NV. Debi inherited Mike's children and Mike inherited two more children: Brian K. Garland and wife Christine and their children Jesse and Katelyn of MacDonald, PA and Tangi (Garland) Scott and special friend Cordell Waulk of New Florence, PA and grandson Cody Hunt and fiancé Rachael Vereb and Great grandson, Parker Ryan Hunt, 18 months of New Florence. Parker was his Pap Pap's big green tractor and NASCAR buddy. What good times he had with all of the children. Mike's grandchildren and great grandchild knew well his work ethic, his integrity, his love of his country and even more the soft spot in his heart he had for them all. Even though he reprimanded them from time to time about using their phones, what they were wearing and leaving half full pop cans sit around he loved them with all of his heart and treasured every minute they were with him. His move to Phoenix, AZ as an agent and on their Fugitive Task Force was another adventure for him. His decision to retire in 1998 was a difficult one, as he loved his life work. In Mike's words, however, were "it was time." Mike's eyes continued to light up when former and current agents called to tell him stories or get his opinion or facts regarding a case. He felt he was still helping "catching the bad guys". Retirement was good to him as he enjoyed working in his "tinkertorium", being at home on the deck or in the pool with a beer and most of all being with his pets especially Morgan who was in the truck almost every time it left the driveway. Mikes Irish heritage gave him many loving aunts and uncles, numerous nieces and nephews, and 26 first cousins with whom he spent hours tipping a glass and sharing hilarious family stories. Oh, what a special love he had for them and their families. The joys in his life are far too many to list but know his life was full and overflowing. It was almost impossible to sit still long enough through so many of Mikes "quick stories" but you just couldn't resist. They were of every one he knew, everywhere he went and all of his adventures. Mikes final wish for his family and friends would be "Do not be sad. Keep my stories alive forever, and be with one another as often as you can". His love will always be with us all. Friends received 2 PM – 8 PM Tuesday, October 4th, at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home, 139 Ligonier St., New Florence, Military Service and Celebration of Life 2 PM – 8 PM Wednesday October 5, New Florence VFW, 6215 Rt. 711, New Florence. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Actions for Animals, 386 PA-217, Latrobe, PA 15650 and New Florence Community Library, 122 N Ligonier St., New Florence, PA 15944