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Gene W. Bartrom

Gene W. Bartrom, 83, of Huntington, IN, died Tuesday evening, March 19, 2013, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Mr. Bartrom was a lifelong Huntington resident and a 1949 graduate of Huntington Catholic High School. He was a member of the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954, serving in Japan and Korea. He enlisted in the Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, in 1957. He worked for the Department of Defense until retiring as a master sergeant in 1985 after 33 years as a service/electrician technician.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntington. He was a past commander and lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689, serving on the burial detail for 50 years. He had served as commander for two years and chef de gare of Voiture 850 of the 40 & 8. He was a lifetime member of both American Legion Post 160, of Roanoke, and the National Air Force Sergeant Association.

He was born March 6, 1930, in Huntington to Charles E. and Goldia Braden Bartrom. He married Esther I. Wilcoxson on April 23, 1955, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntington. His wife survives.

Additional survivors include three sons, Jerry D. Bartrom and Wayne A. Bartrom, both of Huntington, and Brian G. (Wendy) Bartrom, of Van Buren; a daughter, Gail D. (Monty) Cocklin, of Huntington; a brother, Mark E. (Barbara) Bartrom, of South Whitley; a sister, Ruth I. "Bill" Garshwiler, of Fort Wayne; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

The rosary will be recited on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 W. Park Drive, Huntington. Calling will follow at the mortuary from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. service. Rev. John Pfister will officiate. Private burial will be at a later date at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, with graveside military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Disabled American Veterans in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.baileylove.com.