Bobby Joe Bartholomew

Bobby Joe Bartholomew, 72, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Monday, March 7, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born June 23, 1938, in Blytheville, the son of Marion "Joe" and Roberta Graham Shackelford Bartholomew. He and Kathleen McMasters were married Dec. 21, 1960, in Manila.

Bobby graduated from Caruthersville, Mo., High School in 1957, attended Rolla School of Mines, and received a B.S. degree from Arkansas State, Jonesboro, in 1960. He served in the United States Army from 1961 until 1963. Bobby worked for the former Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis for 18 years. He and his wife purchased the former Bart Shoe Company in Union, Mo., which they operated for five years. He worked at the U.S. Shoe Company in Crothersville, Ind., as plant manager from 1988 until 1993. He became an ordained minister at the Baptist Church in Scottsburg, Ind., and upon moving to Missouri, became the interim pastor at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. He worked for the Rave Corporation in Anna, Ill., assisting the handicapped in finding jobs, retiring in 2006. He was a member of Fruitland Community Church six years, taught Sunday school and was a supply pastor.

Survivors include his wife; 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 Bartholomew and Nicholas Bartholomew of Cincinnati, Conrad McCormick and Sidney McCormick of New Albany; and a sister, Norma Jean Hamilton of Manila.

Funeral service was held Thursday, March 10, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Mike Parry officiating. Burial was in Manila Cemetery.

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

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