Michael David Bartlow

Michael D. Bartlow, age 64 of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 13, 2023, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, after a short battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Wilson’s Funeral Home in Wellsville. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 pm, Friday, October 20, also at Wilson’s. Interment will follow services in the Wellsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Life Fellowship Evangelism Fund in Lawrence, Kansas, or University of Kansas Medical Center. Mail contributions to Wilson’s, PO Box 486, Wellsville, Kansas, 66092. 

Michael David Bartlow was born on December 27, 1958, in Harper, Kansas, the youngest of three children born to Rex Hamilton Bartlow and Ardena Louise (Inman) Bartlow. The family lived in Wichita until 1968 when they moved to Wamego and later Topeka. Mike attended Washburn Rural High School where he ran cross country and played tennis. After graduating from high school in 1976, he attended Washburn University and continued to play varsity tennis for four years before graduating in 1980 with a degree in accounting. 

On August 4, 1984, he married Melanie Dalene O’Dea at the New Hope Baptist Church in rural Wellsville, and they shared 39 years together before his passing. Mike was a CPA for his entire adult life, working at Agler and Gaeddert in Ottawa, Bartlow and Cole in Lawrence, and Summers, Spencer and Cavanaugh in Lawrence before owning and operating his own accounting practice, serving clients in Lawrence and Madison, Kansas. He enjoyed the interactions and relationships he built with his clients and worked hard to meet their needs until the end. 

Mike was happily involved with his children’s activities as they were growing up and helped coach a variety of sports, beginning with parks and recreation teams and later at Veritas Christian School where his children attended. He was also a “dance dad”, driving his truck and trailer for his daughters’ dance teams at Maple Leaf parades. He enjoyed sports his entire life and was an avid Jayhawk, Chiefs, and Royals fan.

Through the years Mike and Melanie loved spending time with the family they’ve been blessed with, including grandchildren who filled their home with joy and laughter. Mike looked forward to family meals where he could showcase his BBQ skills. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, listening to all kinds of music, playing board games and cards with his grandchildren, stumping the family with trivia questions around the dinner table and watching his favorite sports on ESPN. 

Because of his belief in Jesus Christ, Mike’s family is comforted by the fact that his eternal home is now in Heaven. Their present sadness and grief will change to a blessed assurance of being together again in the presence of God. Mike would want us to live our lives seeking after God. We can honor our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend by doing just that.

Mike is survived by his wife, Melanie, of the home; his mother, Ardena Bartlow; son Andrew Bartlow (Whitney) and their children, Isabelle, Josiah, Griffin, Scout, Waverly, Adelyn, Delaney, and Margaret; daughter Elizabeth Highberger (Brian) and their children Finnley and Eleanor; daughter Abigail Case (Collin); brother Brad Bartlow (Ann) of Topeka; sister Ladena Fulmer (Steve) of KCMO; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Rex, on December 26, 2014. 

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