Morton Bartek, 80, Altoona, passed away Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at Golden LivingCenter-Hillview, Altoona.
Morton, known to many as Marty, was born in Far Rockaway, Long Island, N.Y., son of the late John and Susan (Warsek) Bartek. His family relocated when he was 12 years old to the town of Rootville, located near Smoke Run.
Morton is survived by two sons and a daughter: David M. Bartek and his wife, L. Norene, of Altoona, Timothy A. Bartek and his wife, Dotty, of New Germany and Cheryl A. Lauer and her husband, Mark, of Glen Allen, Va.; six grandchildren: Michael Bartek, Kaitlyn Kieta, Kelsey Bartek, Eric Lauer, Ashley Cooper and Melissa Lauer; three great-grandchildren; a sister and a brother: Emily Francisco and her husband, Edward, of Portland, Ore., and John Ronald Bartek and his wife, Connie, of Smoke Run; and numerous nieces and nephews.
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Morton Bartek
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, on Feb. 1, 2010.
Morton was a 1949 graduate of Beccaria Township High School.
He was a veteran of the Air Force and served during the Korean War. He took basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and was trained as a teletype operator. Morton was stationed primarily at Fort Meade, Md. He attained the rank of sergeant and for the remainder of his life was very proud of his military service.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Morton worked at a variety of jobs in and around the Cleveland, Ohio, area. He returned home to marry Patricia Kuhn Bartek, and they began their family in the Juniata section of Altoona.
Morton worked as a die setter and eventually became the superintendent of the metal shop at Lumax Industries, Altoona, a position he held until his retirement. He also continued to work as a consulting engineer at Lumax on a part-time basis for a brief period after his retirement.
Morton was a true craftsman, indulging in numerous hobbies over his lifetime. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on rivers and lakes, pursuing his passion and the peace of mind it gave him.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, and 9 until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at Kruise Funeral Home Inc., Ramey, with the Rev. Thomas A. McCoy officiating. A graveside service will follow in Hegarty's Crossroad Cemetery, Beccaria Township. Military honors will be accorded by the Osceola Mills Honor Guard.
Condolences may be sent to condolences@kruisefuneralhome.com.
