Milton Lee Bartholomew Sr.

Milton (“M.L.”)(“Bart”) Lee Bartholomew, Sr., passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025, at The Meadows Community Living Center at the VA in Roseburg, Oregon. He was born Aug. 11, 1926, in Iliff, Colorado, to parents, Leamon and Hattie (Gabel) Bartholomew, and shortly after the family moved to Jerome, Idaho.

M.L. attended school through high school in Jerome until being drafted into the service at age 17. He served during WWII in the US Navy from January 1945 to July 1946. After the war, he returned to farming in Jerome, where he met his wife, Gladys (Albers). They married on June 10, 1947, and began their life together (spanning 64 years) and started their family.

His years in Jerome were spent farming and working at the livestock auctions in Jerome and Twin Falls. In August of 1961, he moved his family to Roseburg, Oregon. He then went back to Jerome to finish out the harvest season, after which he returned to join the family in Roseburg in late Fall. Once in Oregon, M.L. started out working as a roofer/handyman. He and Gladys also operated Bart’s Kennel from December 1961 through June 1976. During this time, M.L. began his career at the VA working in food service and continued there until his retirement in 1989, after 27 years of service. After retirement from the VA, Milton worked for a few years as a flagger for Carson Paving & Sealing, Inc.

He and Gladys welcomed other family members and children into their home, serving as foster parents to several children during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, helping raise nephews Ray Miller and Craig Miller as “sons” who joined the household after their parents passed away.

He is survived by sister, Jeanne Altman, daughters, Sheryl Carson and Sharon Hervey (Gregg); son Lee Bartholomew; daughter-in-law Dixie Bartholomew (Milton Jr.), special nephew Ray Miller (Penny); grandchildren Mike Bartholomew, Sheri Carson, Dan Carson (Carrie), Jason Hooker, Josh Bartholomew, Jacob Bartholomew (Megan), Sam Hervey (Jessica), Ben Hervey (Josie) and Isabelle Hervey; 14 great-grandchildren; special great-nieces Sarah Miller (Blake) and Jessica Herceg (Mark) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Gladys; parents Lee and Hattie; grandparents Arthur and Irene (Williams) Bartholomew and Ephriam and Leah (Koenig) Gabel; sons Daniel Bartholomew and Milton Bartholomew Jr.; son-in-law Murle Carson; special nephew Craig Miller; special nieces by marriage Janice Miller and Helen Miller; sisters Dorothy Ambrose, Arlyane Andrus, Bernadine Miller; brother Bill Bartholomew.

M.L. was a member of the American Legion and the Three Pines Water District. He enjoyed attending auctions and animals – especially horses, cattle, birds, fish, and his childhood dog “Tatters”.

M.L. was always good to help others. He was known to be quite a prankster and very creative with his lyrics to songs. M.L. loved his family, adored his grandkids and great-grandkids, and loved to tease them, enjoyed card and dice games, and loved playing his harmonica. He will be missed more than words can say.

We’d like to thank Deb Koopman, NP, his wonderful caregivers Jason Hooker, Heather Colton, Marcia Hester, Vera Shelton, and the amazing staff at The Meadows at the VA.

A military service is planned for 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at the VA National Cemetery Annex (on the VA Campus). Interment will follow at Roseburg Memorial Gardens after the service. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in M.L.’s name.