Leon A. Bartlett

Leon A. Bartlett, 87, of East Jordan, died on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in McLaren hospital in Petoskey.

 He was born on September 7, 1935, in East Jordan, the son of Norman O. and Genevieve H. (Skrocki) Bartlett. He graduated from East Jordan High School in 1953. Leon attended Central Michigan College for a year then decided to move to the Detroit area where he did excavation for a few years. Upon returning to East Jordan, he started Bartlett’s Excavating and worked on many projects throughout Northern Michigan including The Homestead in Glen Arbor. Later, Leon added Septic Pumping Services to his business.

Leon was active in the Lion’s Club and served on the EJ School Board. He enjoyed snowmobiling, finding Morel mushrooms and spending time at the cabin in Chandlers Hill with family and friends. 

Leon married Cynthia E. Sinclair on December 17, 1988 and she became a steadfast partner for him in both his work and his hobbies. They built the home they shared by hand hewning the logs and created a magnificent split face rock fireplace. His passion was restoring antique cars. He had an extensive collection of Model Ts and As and he recently sold his fully restored rare Orient car back to the original owner’s family fifty years later. This made him very happy.

Leon loved hunting and his home features an Elk trophy mount from a Colorado trip he did with friends many years ago. He could still recount details of places and events that happened on that trip. He also enjoyed gardening and Cindy making his Polish Mother’s recipe for both Dill and Sweet Chunk pickles.

Leon was old school - a man’s man. He valued hard work, was industrious and resourceful. He loved tinkering in his garage and retained his sharp mind for memories and numbers. One might consider him an engineer - although not formally trained. But most will remember him for being the kind man that he was. 

Leon is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cynthia E. Bartlett of East Jordan; children Karen Cooper of Boyne City, Mike (Tracy) Bartlett of Sault Ste. Marie, Terise (Mike) Gavar of Traverse City, Anne-Marie “Amy” (Michael) Awrey of Traverse City, and James Bartlett of Traverse City; plus two bonus daughters, Heidi Mead of Gaylord and Heather Derenzy of Wolverine; eighteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; three brothers, Gary (Tootie) Bartlett of East Jordan, Wayne (Carol) Bartlett of East Jordan and Steve (Debbie) Bartlett of East Jordan; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service is scheduled at the Sno Mobilers Club located at 5586 Mt Bliss Rd, East Jordan on Sunday, July 9, 2023 from 3-6. Please bring any photos to the memorial so that they can be scanned and preserved for the family's future use.

 In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider a donation to your favorite charity or consider a Memorial Tree through Penzien Funeral Homes website. 

The family was served by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan, MI.

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