Charles Edward Bartlett, 68, rural Paola, died Saturday, March 6, 1999, in the emergency room of the Miami County Medical Center after becoming ill at his home.

He was born June 11, 1930, in Kansas City, Kan. one of three children of Jasper Lee and Mary Isabell Hightower Bartlett. They returned to the family farm in the Green Valley Community where he grew up.

He attended the Green Valley country school, Osawatomie High School and graduated with the Class of 1949.

He worked in Coker's Store through high school and until he entered the U.S. Army in July 1951. He served on active duty until May 1953. He was a supply sergeant and was stationed in Korea during the Korean War. He remained in the Army Reserves until July 1959.

After his return, he began working at the Hercules Powder Plant at DeSoto and he met Eva May Tinsley. They were married March 19, 1954, at the First United Methodist Church in Osawatomie. They became the parents of three sons.

Their first home was in Paola, then Spring Hill, where he worked as a custodian for the schools for nine years. They moved to their farm northwest of Osawatomie in 1966, and he began working for the Osawatomie schools. He retired in 1993.

Mr. Bartlett was an active man, always doing something. He enjoyed doing farm work and his cattle and woodworking. He especially enjoyed camping and was a member of the Twin Rivers Camping Club and the Retiree Outlaws Camping Club.

He belonged to the Thursday Morning Breakfast Club, was a member of the Miami County Airport Association, the John Hinkle Post of the American Legion, the Kansas Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers and Singers Association and the Plum Creek United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Mary Alice Crawford.

Surviving are his wife, Eva Bartlett of the home; his three sons, Charles Lee Bartlett of Paola, Terry Ray Bartlett of Olathe and David Allen Bartlett of Kansas City, Mo.; his brother, Vernon Lee Bartlett of Osawatomie; and three grandchildren.

Services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The Rev. Larry Buss officiated. Hazel Wilhoite sang "Rock of Ages" and "In The Garden," accompanied at the organ by Julie Weaver.

Burial was in the Green Valley Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bob Johnson, Brandon Stidham, Kenneth Hightower, Glenn Bartlett, Darren Hibdon and Doug Smith. The U.S. Flag was folded and presented to Mrs. Bartlett at the graveside.

Memorials are to the Osawatomie Alumni Scholarship Fund.