Leo Dale Bartholomew

Dale was born in Strickler, Arkansas on July 17, 1935 to John and Malisca Bartholomew. He spent his early years with his 2 brothers and sister farming and working around his parents’ saw mill.

In 1954 Dale married his childhood sweetheart, Erline Pennington. They share 3 daughters together and were married for 29 years, until her death in 1983. Dale and his young family moved to Olathe in the 1950s where he took a job with General Motors, retiring in 1999, after 43 years of service at the Delco Battery Plant in Olathe.

In 1989 Dale met his wife, Jennifer Bartholomew. They would be married 35 years next month.

Jennifer showed Dale a love for traveling and they enjoyed vacationing often to Vail, CO and Las Vegas, NV. They also spent many joyful visits with family in Prairie Grove, AR. They were members of, went to bible study regularly, and were baptized together at the Wellsville Baptist Church. In 2006, Dale and Jennifer built their dream home on their Baldwin property and spent their remaining years there together.

Anyone who knew Dale, would describe him as a hard worker. He never stopped working, dedicating himself to building a beautiful life for his family. Dale acquired land, built multiple rental properties, and ran a mowing business. He loved to work outside and could always be found working around his properties, or in a garage tinkering with some piece of machinery. He spent countless hours working with his former son-in-law, Dennis Morris, and grandsons, Brandon and Travis Morris. To Dale, they were working, but to the Dennis and the boys it was much more. So much of what they know today, they learned from working with Dale (“Gramps”). His legacy lives on through them.

Dale was tough, but he was also thoughtful and would help anyone who needed it. He’d always say, “If you need something, you call me!” - and he meant it. If you needed Dale’s help, he’d be right there (although you might get a lecture after, he would never leave you hanging). Dale was loved and respected by his family and all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and Gramps.

Dale is preceeded in death by his parents, John and Malisca Bartholomew; his brothers Lynn and Wayne Bartholomew; his sister and brother-in-law, Lena and Fred Foren; and his first wife, Erline Pennington.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Bartholomew; his daughters, Diane (Les) Newton, Kathy McEver, and Sandy Bartholomew; his sisters-in-law, Wanda Bartholomew and Joy Lea Bartholomew; his grandchildren Brandi Rodgers, Brandon Morris, Travis Morris and their spouses; and many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren his former son-in-law, Dennis Morris.

Dale will be laid to rest with our heavenly father in a graveside service on Thursday, March 21st at 2pm at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Olathe, Kansas.

Serving as pallbearers are Travis Morris, Dennis Morris, Brandon Morris, Carl Bartholomew, Lonnie Grant, Les Newton, Tim Rodgers and Curtis Secrist.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to those who helped care of Dale over the past few weeks, Ascend Hospice and Helping Hands Home Care.