Thomas C. Barthelmeh of Miles City went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by his family and his loyal Standard Poodle Pokey at the time of his death.
Tom was born on February 12, 1932 to Robert and Thelma (Mead) Barthelmeh in Moorecroft, WY. His childhood was spent in Wyoming and rural Colorado. His father was a County Agent and also managed several large ranches in Colorado. Tom grew up loving the outdoors and animals. Following High School he attended the University of Northern Colorado in Fort Collins, earning a Bachelors’ degree in History Education and a minor in Mechanical Engineering.
At the beginning of the Korean War he enlisted in the Air Force with the dream of becoming a pilot. The Air Force was more interested in his skills in electronics and engineering. He trained as a Special Weapons Technician in Albuquerque NM and spent most of his military service at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, LA. Following his discharge, he worked for Martin Marrietta in Denver. As Tom told us, “he taught the Titan Rocket to fly”.
It was while at Martin that he received and answered the call to the ministry. He moved his little family to St. Paul, MN to attend Luther Seminary, graduating Oct. 31, 1967. Tom served as an Assistant Pastor from October 1967 through April 1969 at Abiding Savior in Moundsview, MN, as pastor from April 1969 through July 1974 at Lord of Love in Belton, MO, and from July 1974 through April 1980 at American Lutheran in Richey and First Lutheran at Lambert. Tom served as pastor from April 1980 to February 1983 at Hingham and Kremlin Lutheran Churches in Montana, as interim pastor from September 1985 to October 1986 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Helena, associate pastor from October 1986 through May 1992 at Plentywood and Highland Lutheran in Outlook. He was on leave from call from May 1992 through April 1996 and retired on February 12, 1997. He served as an interim pastor from May 1998 through October 1999 at Luther Memorial in Minneapolis and Beckville-Cosmos Parish in Beckville, MN. He was the interim pastor at the greater Malta parish in Malta, MT from 2002 to 2004. He moved to Miles City in January 2004.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 35 years Loveda Ann. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann of Miles City, His daughter Loveda (Chuck) Sawyer of Miles City, his son Thomas (Wendy) Barthelmeh of Great Falls, MT and foster daughter Geri (John) Bjork of St. Paul, MN, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5-6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday December 16, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday December 16, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday December 17, 2013
First United Methodist Church
24 N. 11th Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday December 17, 2013
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday December 16, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday December 16, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday December 17, 2013
First United Methodist Church
24 N. 11th Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday December 17, 2013
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
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Vicki Clear says
My thoughts and prayers are with you dear Mary Ann. It’s been a long journey. I am so glad to have been a part of you and Tom’s life. I’m always here for you.
Teza Holland says
MaryAnn I am so sorry for your loss, we know where you sweet husband is now. Love you.
Cathy Donnelly says
MaryAnn, I send you warm hugs and am soo sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He couldn’t have had better care then what you have given him. Love to you and all the family. God bless.
Carlene Root says
Mary Ann, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your love of your life. You have all the memories in your heart. My thoughts and prayer are with you and your families. Tom is with the Lord now, along with my Clarence. You are in my prayers daily along with many hugs. God Bless You. Many hugs, Carlene Root.
Terri Beyl says
MaryAnn…. Know you are in my prayers. This has been a tough journey for you and you are a strong woman, remember God has you in his arms and will see you through this chapter as well.
Hugs & Prayers
Terri & Rocky
Penny Hart says
MaryAnn, So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, he was a wonderful man. I want to extend my deepest thoughts and prayers to you and the family. May he rest in peace.
Penny
Cheryl Smutt says
I am very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
brigitte harms says
My prayers are with you Mary Ann. I just heard off Toms passing. he was a nice man. if you need anything or just need to talk i’m here for you. Brigitte
Roxanna Brush says
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family at this time. He was a very sweet man and truly loved his family.
Jerry and Jan Townsend says
Mary Ann: we are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. We know how very special he was to you, your family and all that knew him. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat Hanlan says
Mary Ann, my prayers and thoughts are with ; I am sorry for your loss;he went to a better place. Pat Hanlan
Pat Hanlan says
Sorry for your loss of Tom; my prayers are with you and his family.
Friendship Villa says
We are very sorry about the passing of Tom. His bomb making skills definitely kept us on our toes here. This place will not be the same without seeing Tom’s smiling face everyday.
Danikka Harrell says
Hey Mary Ann. My prayers are with you at this time. I will hold you close in my thoughts. I have so many wonderful memories with Tom and Poky! I am here for you for whatever you need!
Ken & Kristi Stein says
Dear Loveda and family,
Kristi and I send you our Prayers and Thoughts of comfort to you and the family. We know that your dad is now in a very special place with his God and Savior.
Tammy and Layne Holmes says
Mary Ann and Poky… He was a great man and will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Susan Henken-Thielen says
My condolences to all of you on Tom’s passing. My children thought of him as a grandfather and had many happy times with him. May you be comforted by the love and support of your friends and family during this difficult time.
Shannon Holmen says
So sorry to hear of your Dad, he was very pleasant to deal with. My prayers.
Sharla Nielsen Sackman says
Pastor Tom was our pastor at Wanso, the little country church near Plentywood, when I went through confirmation in the 1980’s. I have wonderful memories of him and he is one of the reasons my Faith is still strong today. My condolences to your family.