Harry F. Bartholomew

January 19, 1933 - July 29, 2019

Harry F. Bartholomew, 86, of Oskaloosa, died Monday July 29, 2019, at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born January 19, 1933, in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, the son of Harry G. and Ruth L. Riegel Bartholomew. He graduated from Burlington High School with the class of 1950. Following school, he went to work for Murray Iron Works Foundry. In 1953, he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War until 1955. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Harry returned to Burlington and went back to work at the foundry. On June 3, 1962, he was united in marriage to Mary Jo Cline at Burlington, Iowa. The couple made their home in Burlington until the foundry closed. In 1976, the family moved to Oskaloosa and Harry went to work as a foreman in the Clow Foundry. He retired from Clow in 1998. He was a member of St. Paul Congregational Church in Oskaloosa. His family includes his wife of over 57 years, Mary Jo Bartholomew of Oskaloosa; two daughters, Mary Ann Bartholomew of Las Vegas, Nevada and Angela Patterson of New Sharon; a son, David Bartholomew of Des Moines; two grandsons, John Patterson, Christopher Patterson and their father, Bill Patterson; his granddaughter, Kayla Bartholomew and her mother, Natasha Stucker of Dexter, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Terri Bartholomew of Pittsburg, Texas; five nieces and nephews; and Dawn (Barry) Lull who he loved as his own daughter and her children, Brittany, Breanne and Tabitha of Waukee, Iowa. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Charles Bartholomew and James O. Bartholomew. As a final gift of generosity, Harry’s body has been donated to the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City. There are no services planned at this time. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to MHP Hospice Services, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of their choosing.