Submitted by: Dan Rich
Jan. 5, 1918 - Feb. 19, 2008
South Bend Tribune 2/20/2008
GRANGER - Mr. James "Jimmy" Ade
Bartuska Sr. passed away Tuesday of a heart ailment. He was
90 years old. Mr. Bartuska was born in Chicago, Illinois, and
spent his early years as a Sea Scout, working on sail boats on
Lake Michigan. He was the son of George Bartuska and Dorothy Ade.
He was preceded in death by his brother, George Jr. Mr. Bartuska
graduated from the Bendix Safety Service School in 1936, went to
work in the plant and retired 47 years later as a machinist tool
and die maker from the Brake and Steering Division.
He wed Florence Caroline Beilke on
July 6, 1940, in Wausau, WI. Mr. Bartuska served in the Merchant
Marines during World War II on Liberty ships. He was commissioned
an ensign in the engineering officer corps. His sea duty included
tours of duty in both the Atlantic Ocean in supply convoys and in
the Pacific Ocean. He received Veteran status from the U.S. Coast
Guard in 1988 when Congress officially recognized Merchant
Marines as veterans of WW II. During the past 10 years, Mr.
Bartuska was active with the American Merchant Marine Veterans
Midwest Chapter of Chicago. He was directly involved in the
planning and design of the memorial plaque that was placed at the
WW II German Submarine U505 at the Chicago Museum of Science and
Industry. While employed by Bendix, Mr. Bartuska worked for
several years in the Mishawaka Plant as a prototype machinist in
the model shop, machining components for the Talos and Typhon LR
Missile Program.
Mr. Bartuska is survived by his loving wife,
Florence Caroline Bartuska of Granger, IN. He is also survived by
his children and their spouses, James A Bartuska, Jr. (Lynn),
Niles, MI; Jan W. Bartuska Combs (Bill), Auburn, CA; Peter
C Bartuska, Granger, IN; and George E Bartuska (Janet), Lakeland,
FL. Mr. Bartuska has three loving grandchildren, Jamie, Erin and
Benjamin. During his lifetime, Mr. Bartuska showed a passion for
life. He built from scratch a home for his family, read the South
Bend Tribune newspaper every day and, when able, jogged on State
Line Road. He enjoyed fishing and ice fishing on Michigan's small
lakes. Until his final day, he regularly visited his wife
Florence in a nursing home and did his best to comfort and amuse
her. He will be remembered as one who was as much at home with
nature as he was standing in front of a Bridgeport Milling
machine. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who were
fortunate to have known him.
There will be a memorial service held in St.
Paul Lutheran Church, 51490 Laurel Road, on Friday, Feb. 22, at
2:00 p.m. The McGann Hay Funeral Home assisted the family with
arrangements.