Bobby Bartholomew

Bobby Joe Bartholomew, 72, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, March 7, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born June 23, 1938, in Blytheville, Ark., son of Marion "Joe" and Roberta Graham Shackelford Bartholomew. He and Kathleen McMasters were married Dec. 21, 1960, in Manila, Ark.

Bobby graduated from Caruthersville, Mo., High School in 1957, attended Rolla, Mo., School of Mines, and received a bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University-Jonesboro in 1960.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army Jan. 30, 1961, and was honorably discharged Jan. 29, 1963.

Bobby worked for the former Brown Shoe Co. in St. Louis 18 years. He and his wife purchased the former Bart Shoe Co. in Union, Mo., which they operated five years. He then worked at the U.S. Shoe Co. in Crothersville, Ind., as plant manager from 1988 until 1993.

While in Indiana, he became an ordained minister at the Baptist Church in Scottsburg, and upon moving to Missouri became the interim pastor at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Oak Ridge.

He worked for the Rave Corp. in Anna, Ill., assisting the handicapped in finding jobs. He retired in 2006 due to health reasons. He was a member of Fruitland Community Church the past six years where he taught Sunday school and was a supply pastor.

Loving survivors include his wife of 50 years; three sons, Joe Bartholomew of Lebanon, Mo., Greg Bartholomew of Cape Girardeau, Tod (Paula) Bartholomew of Cincinnati, Ohio; a daughter, Denise McCormick of New Albany, Ind.; four grandchildren, Jessica and Nicholas Bartholomew of Cincinnati, Conrad and Sidney McCormick of New Albany; and a sister, Norma Jean Hamilton of Manila.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Parry officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in Manila Cemetery in Manila.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Fruitland Community Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.