Mary F. Bartholomew, Greenville, Ill., passed away at 2:55 a.m. Friday (10-3-08) in Fair Oaks Nursing Home, Greenville, Ill. She was 85.

Mary Frances, the daughter of the late John A. and Mary Edna Stamm McEwen, was born May 30, 1923, in New Hamburg.

She grew up in New Hamburg, where she attended the two-room school and graduated with the class of 1942 from the former Fredonia High School.

Mrs. Bartholomew had worked on a dairy farm bottling and selling milk. During the war effort she did factory work.

Mary and Belvin E. Bartholomew were united in marriage Aug. 7, 1943, at Mercer Free Methodist Church. They enjoyed over 65 years of marriage.

She raised her family in Rio Grande, Ill., and Meadville and worked then for Talon Zipper.

Mary and Belvin moved in 1967 to Greenville, Ill. In 1969, she started working for Greenville College and was the supervisor of housekeeping, retiring in 1989 after 20 years of service.

She then worked various part-time jobs, Southern Illinois University Textbook services and Greenville College Bookstore.

While residing in Pennsylvania, Mary was a member of Mercer Free Methodist Church; and later joined Greenville (Ill.) Free Methodist Church.

She was a member of the Missionary Society, Edith Christian Monday Evening Service Club, Bond County Association for the handicapped, advisory board for the Mental Health Department, board member for Fayco Workshops, a local quilting guild, a local camping club and the Fair Oaks Hospital Auxiliary.

In addition to her husband of Greenville, Ill., she is survived by a daughter, Bonita Elmore and her husband Lonnie, Edwardsville, Ill.; a son, Walter Bartholomew and his wife Brenda, Lakeland, Fla.; five sisters, Dorothy Whittingham, North Chili, N.Y.; Julia Breese and her husband Bill, Fredonia; Margie Rhyal, Sheakleyville; Virginia McEwen, Slippery Rock; and Ellen Nye and her husband Charles, Portersville; four grandchildren Daren Bartholomew and his wife Tracey; Wess Branson and his wife Darla; Stephanie Morris and her husband Christopher; and Susan Haywood and her husband Jason; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Lorinda J. Bartholomew in 1969; her infant sister, Ruth Emma McEwen; and a sister, Eileen Scragg.

The family has suggested that memorial tributes be made to the Free Methodist Church Missions to Native Americans.

BARTHOLOMEW

Mrs. Belvin E. (Mary F.), 85, Greenville, Ill.