Lewis Avery "Lewie" Bartow

Lewis Avery "Lewie" Bartow, 83 of Battle Creek died peacefully at The Legacy at NorthPointe Woods on Sunday morning, August 5, 2018. He was born June 7, 1935 in Port Huron, Michigan, the son of Omer P. and Marguerite (Dodds) Bartow. Lewie was a 1954 graduate of Marysville High School, earned his Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and his Master's Degree from Western Michigan University. He began his career in Education at Springfield Elementary School in 1959; and then with the Gull Lake School System in 1969. He was employed as a teacher and principal, retiring from Gull Lake Schools in 1995.

Lewie was united in marriage to the "Love of His Life", Patricia Ann "Pat" Kidder on August 23, 1958 in Port Huron, Michigan. Surviving are his wife, Pat; two sons, Brian (Laura) Bartow of St. Louis, Missouri, Dale (Laurie) Bartow of Battle Creek; five grandchildren, Jaimee (Andrew) Hart, Jordan (Cailee) Bartow, both of Kalamazoo, Jenna Bartow of Wixom, Michigan, Lindsay Bartow, and Connor Bartow, both of St. Louis, Missouri; his brother & sisters-in-law, Edward & Linda Kidder, and Rosemary Bartow; and his nieces, nephew, cousins and their families. Lewie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ben Dodds Bartow; and Pat's parents, Chester & Mildred Kidder.

Lewie was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, a life member of Bedford Masonic Lodge #207, and faithfully served in the United States Naval Reserves for eight years. Lewie loved bringing people together, organizing the many bus trips to the ball parks. He was a "favorite teacher" to many of his students. Lewie would make you laugh, or just "shake your head.., Lewie!" His passion in retirement was enjoying the grandkids, traveling with Pat, Battle Cat and St. Louis Cardinal Baseball, and fishing St. Clair River for Pickerel.

Family will gather with friends from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 157 Chapel Hill Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49015 where services to celebrate Lewie's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. with light refreshments to follow the service. Inurnment will be held at Riverlawn Cemetery in Marysville, Michigan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Lewie may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Lewie may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.