Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes

Serving families in the Miles City, Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Circle, Jordan and Terry areas for three generations.

For Immediate Help Call
Miles City: 406-232-4457 — Forsyth: 406-346-2311

In Memory Of

Donald Bartholomew, age 90, of Miles City.

October 6, 1927 – May 31, 2018

Donald Wayne Bartholomew, of Miles City passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at the age of 90.

Don was born on October 6, 1927, at the Gene Garbor place on the Powder River to William “Bly” and Evelyn (Engelman) Bartholomew. Don and his five siblings, Thelma, Vernon, Yvetta, Clare “Teddy”, and Lois were raised on the Cabin Creek homestead until 1951. During his youth Don worked as a ranch hand for various people. His first job was when he was 11 years old working for a neighbor herding sheep. This was a very lonely time for an 11 yr old since he was 6 miles from home with no one around except the wildlife to visit with. This followed with a variety of farm and ranch jobs, haying, fencing, feeding cattle and whatever needed doing, as well as helping out at home. After graduating from Broadus High School in 1946, Don worked on construction in WY, MT and SD; this is where he got his training for operating heavy equipment which he used later in the service as well as on the ranch building dams, roads, fighting fire and moving snow.

In 1951, Don enlisted in the US Navy Seabees and took basic military training in Port Hueneme, CA. From there he was shipped to the South Pacific Island of Kwajalein in the Marshall Island Chain. At that time the island was used as a fueling stop for airplanes on their way to Australia as well as playing a part in the testing of the A-Bomb off of the island of Bikini some 150 miles away in the chain. Don remembers well on March 22, 1953 the day they tested the first bomb. He witnessed the bright flash of ignition followed by the gigantic mushroom cloud and 42 minutes later the feel of the aftershock.

After being discharged in 1954, Don returned to Liscomb Creek to help operate the ranch. In 1959 he met and married Frances Jones and they began their lives together on the Bartholomew Ranch where they cultivated the land and raised cattle. There they raised their four sons Miles, Max, Mark and Morris. Don was proud to live on the ranch which they purchased and continued to call home.

One of his favorite past times was taking the four wheeler to check his cows and to make sure that all of the wells were full with running water. His other favorite past time was dancing with his wife Frances and nothing short of death would stop them from attending the local country hoe-downs.

Don is survived by his two sons: Mark (Karen) Bartholomew and Morris (Ragna) Bartholomew all of Miles City, MT; daughters-in-law, Deb Bartholomew and Ruth Bartholomew both of Miles City, MT; eleven grandchildren: Nicole (Mike) Wacker, BreeAnn (Willie) Nelson, Logan (Libby) Bartholomew, Marti (Jeff) Burleson, Taylor Bartholomew, Nicholas Bartholomew, Joshua (Sarah) Bartholomew, Caitlin (Jon) Bartholomew, Billie Rae Bartholomew, Matthew (Tessa) Bartholomew and Randii Jo-Ann Bartholomew; nine great grandchildren: Cody, Miles, Carly, Karina and Fredrick Wacker, Saddie and Emit Burleson, Jackson and Carson Bartholomew and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Frances and two sons, Miles and Max Bartholomew and five Siblings.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday at the Custer County Cemetery with Full Military Honors and a luncheon to follow at The Bucking Horse Saloon. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Wake Up and Lace Up or Holy Rosary Hospice.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Monday June 4, 2018

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Funeral Service

10:00 a.m.

Tuesday June 5, 2018

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Interment with Full Military Honors

Tuesday June 5, 2018

Custer County Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Monday June 4, 2018

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Funeral Service

10:00 a.m.

Tuesday June 5, 2018

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Interment with Full Military Honors

Tuesday June 5, 2018

Custer County Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Share

Share this! Tweet this! Email this!

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

Share your photos

Reader Interactions

Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Our deepest condolences to all the family. So sorry to hear of Dons passing, as he will be greatly missed.

  4. We look forward to seeing Donny in Heaven. We always enjoyed our Brutally Honest conversations.
    Never one for Politically Correct, Loved his Family and Country. May God bless you all.

  5. Our Sympathy May God give each and everyone of you the strength now and in the days to come memory live on we are so blessed to have shared those memories

  6. Our prayers go out to Don’s family. May God be with you at this time and for always. So sorry for your loss.

  9. Condolences to the Bartholomew Family. Don was a very nice man.

  10. Each of Don’s family members has our sincerest sympathies and prayers for comfort and solace.

  12. Mark, Morris and families, Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.. Always remember the good memories.
    Tyler and Julie Cook

  14. Morris, Mark, and the entire family – We are going to miss a very special family member. We smile remembering our fun visits with Don. Sending prayers and loving hugs to each of you. ??????

  15. Bartholomew family; your family has suffered many losses is such a sort period of time. May you remember friends are thinking of you and although we cannot erase the pain, hopefully you find comfort in knowing we are praying for your healing.

  16. I’m so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Remember the good times and know that we are all thinking of you!

  17. Morris and Mark and families , So sorry to hear about your Dad ,you are in our thoughts and prayers Lee and Kathy Baugatz

  19. Mark and Morris…am so sorry to hear about your Dad…memories are forever…my heart is hurting with yours…love and prayers coming your way.

  21. Morris & Mark, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing! You have had so much loss in such a short time and I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time in your lives! Know that God is watching over you and you will see your dad again! Love you so much!

  22. I am sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

  24. Bartholomew Family: May God ease your pain and give you comfort in wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you all.

  25. Condolences sent to the Bartholomew families. Will keep u in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

  26. One more of the greatest generation is gone. Don was defiantly one of a kind. I will always remember his great laugh . Codolences to the family.

  27. We’re so sorry for your loss! It has been a tough couple of years for all of you. Will keep you all in our prayers.

  28. Morris, Ragna and the Bartholomew family,

    Sorry to see the loss of your father. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

    Sincerely,
    Barb and Jim

  29. My thoughts are with all of you. Don was one of a kind. Wish I could be there. Love to you all.

    Donna Bartholomew Strouf

  30. Bartholomew Family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. May your memories guide you through your sorrows. Our prayers are with you all.

  31. Mark and Karen,
    We’re so sorry–losing a parent is never easy. Your dad was fortunate to have you and the rest of his family–we should all be so lucky. We’re thinking of you.
    Bill and Sharon

  32. I am sad to hear od Don’s passing. Will be thinking of all of you during this difficult time. The last time I visited with Don was when the fires had been so bad in that area.

  33. Mark and all your family….sorry your have lost your dad…..know that we are thinking of you….

  34. Bartholomew Families:

    What a character Don was! It was always a genuine pleasure to converse with Don. Oh, the stories he could tell. I wish I would have written some of them down. He knew this part of the country and family histories. He will be sorely missed. You have my most sincere deepest condolences.

  37. I knew Don for 71 years from Butte Creek to Tongue River;; He was a good guy who was devoted to his family and friends.

  38. sorry to hear about your loss, sending prayers to you during this difficult time

  39. Our thoughts are with you. With Don’s passing, we have lost a great man – so glad we could call him a
    friend.

  40. So sorry for your loss — we are sending our prayers to the entire family – cherish your wonderful memories –

  42. Mark, Morris and Family, Saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing. Cherish the memories.

  43. Keeping your families in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

  44. To my young friend Randii and family. I did not have the opportunity of meeting Randii’s grandfather or family. Randii is a beautiful, very special person. I am positive all her strengths and the person she is was passed down from past generations through her grandparents and dad on one side, and her mom and grandparents on the other. My heart goes out to her and everyone today as you remember and share the many good times spent over the years loving and growing together as a family.

  45. Morris, Ragna and family:
    So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I’m sure he is enjoying his eternal life being reunited with your mom.
    Scott & Lisa Ziler

  46. Sorry to hear of Don’s passing; he spent a lot of time with my Dad reminiscing about the Butte Creek/Cabin Creek country and the people they knew. Dad spoke very highly of Don and the Bartholomew family. My condolences to you all.

  47. Thoughts and prayers to all of the Bartholomew family. He is home now, no more worries or pain, just peace.

  48. my prayers go out to the Bartholomew family. my God comfort you in this time of sorrow. Hold his memory in your heat forever.

  49. Christmas Day, 2018
    I have been writing all week and needed the correct spelling of Huston Rogers and ended up in this website.
    Enjoying the day of birth of Jesus celebration I went through several of these Stevenson records.
    Don Bartholomew, wow. Jesus, what can I write? I did not attend his funeral because I couldn’t. After Max and Frances passed away I was just, sort of, I do not even know. Empty, I guess.
    I was six, just a kid, when I met a wonderfully friendly and BIG and WARM man. I grew up with Kenny McIntosh and Teena, children of Findley and Yvetta, Don’s sister, when Ship and Mary and me lived at 907 South Merriam and “Uncle Don” would come to town every couple of weeks and stop by.
    When I was six he was tall, and sixty-five years later, he was still tall.
    I did not attend Don’s funeral because I cried all day like a baby and didn’t want anyone in Miles City to think I was just a damned baby.

    Rob Shipley

Add your thoughts and memories. Upon approval they will be added.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *