John A. Bartolomei

John A. Bartolomei, age 87, of Cherokee Village died June 6, 2005, at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home. Bartolomei was born Jan. 19, 1918, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Aristide and Cecelia Marchi Bartolomei. He graduated from Carthage College in Carthage, Ill., in 1941. He was inducted into the United States Army on Sept. 26, 1942. While working as an interpreter between American and Italian Forces, he was taken prisoner by German SS Troops and taken to a POW camp in Germany for several months before being liberated.

He was united in marriage to Ellen Puotinen on Aug. 30, 1947. He worked as a customs broker for many years in Chicago before retiring and moving to Arkansas 20 years ago. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Cherokee Village.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; one son, Frederick Bartolomei; four daughters -- Gail Bartolomei, Devra Marchi, Michele Bartolomei and Rochelle Catoe Bartolomei; one sister, Lilliana Bartolomei; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held June 11 at Peace Lutheran Church in Cherokee Village with Pastor Brian Pummill officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of the Tri-County's Cherokee Chapel of Highland.