JULIA A. (JOHNSON) BARTLE
OXFORD – Julia A. (Johnson) Bartle, a lifelong resident of Preston, NY, passed away 11/23/14. Julia was born 7/11/38 in Norwich, NY, the daughter of Julian and Ruth (Curtis) Johnson. She was a 1956 graduate of Oxford Academy and Central School, and continued throughout her life to play a vital role as a member of the Class of 1956 helping to organize class reunions and frequent get togethers with her classmates and lifelong friends.
She married Bruce H. Bartle on 7/14/56 in Greenfield Center, NY.
Julia was an integral part of the community through her work and service. She was a seamstress by trade, working at the Crescent Corset Factory in Oxford, and then at Champion Products in Norwich. Julia worked for a period of time as cook at the Bida Adult Home in Oxford. She was a member of the “Made in Chenango Cooperative,” where she worked part time and sold her homemade knitting. She also volunteered and was the scheduling coordinator for the “Common Cents” Thrift Store in Oxford. She was a proud member of the Oxford and Preston Fire Departments’ Auxiliary and was a Tupperware consultant for many years. She loved her weekly bowling league that she shared with her sisters. Julia was especially fond of animals, both wild and domestic and had many favorite dogs and cats that she cared for over the years. She loved watching birds and other animals out her windows.
Julia followed and created many of her own patterns in making school clothes, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, Halloween costumes, and dance costumes. She was often found with a needle in her hand or at one of her sewing machines repairing, patching, or altering clothing and uniforms of all kinds for her family and those who contracted for her expertise. A consummate knitter, family and those close to the family have a signature sweater with two little owls on the front, zipper down the back, and a pompom on the hood. She was a perfectionist with relentless attention to detail and performed these tasks over and over with flawless ease. We ask that anyone who may have a homemade creation by Julia to bring it along to share at the service so that others can get a glimpse of her amazing talent and skill.
Julia is survived by her four children and their families: Karen and Bill Lyons, Logan and Lucas Lyons; Kathy Alexandrea, Adrienne and Jeff Zornow, Jayden, and Emmaleigh Zornow, Annette and Chad Smith, Summer Roselli, Christopher and Madelynn Smith, Kyle, and Kristyn Alexandrea; Kevin Bartle and Karen Covell, Kelsey and Mark Drewniak, Kelly and Alan Lawton, Clayton and Thomas Lawton; Kris and Joanne Bartle, Jessica Bartle and David Canaday and Cooper Canaday, Jennifer and John Hoag and Connor Hoag, Jillian and Jason Chesebro and Julianne Chesebro. Her devoted sisters and brother-in-law Josephine Johnson, Joyce and Leslie Blackman, and sisters- and brothers-in-law Carole and David Kross, Lorraine and Norman Franklin, and Stanley and Grace Bartle, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
Julia was predeceased by her husband Bruce, her parents Julian and Ruth Johnson, and her in-laws Hugh and Emily Bartle.
Julia was committed to her family, and she did all she could to celebrate them and be a major part of special days, events, and holidays. She was their biggest fan, and could be counted on to be in the audience at any and all sporting events, dance recitals and competitions, graduations, concerts, etc. She enjoyed nothing more that gathering the family together to share each others’ company. She was proud of and adored each and every one of her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. The things that brought her the most joy, especially these last very difficult months, were visits from or pictures and videos of her beloved family. She counted herself lucky, and she was one of the most open-hearted, tolerant, and optimistic people that ever lived. Through her eyes, her glass was always more than half full, and she felt blessed by her life of 76 years. Diagnosed with ALS in 2007, her patient, kind, gentle, and accepting spirit provided her with the necessary perseverance and incredible strength to face the disease with her “It is what it is” attitude and surpass most prospects of life expectancy.
A heartfelt thank you to April Davis and Julie Micha for their extraordinary care for Julia while she was in her home, and to the staff of Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for caring for her special needs in these last few months of her life.
Donations can be made to the Preston (124 Co. Rd. 19, Oxford, NY) or Oxford (PO 172, Oxford, NY) fire departments.
Funeral services for Julia are under the direction of Behe Funeral Home in Oxford with Debbie Myers, Lay Servant, presiding over the service, and both the calling hours and funeral will be held at the Behe Funeral Home. Family and friends may call from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26. A private burial will be at the J. D. Lewis Cemetery in Preston following the services, and friends and family are invited to join the family after for a luncheon at the Oxford Fire Station, Fort Hill Park in Oxford.