Bobby Bartley

CHARLESTON – Bobby L. Bartley, 94, of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, concluding with Masonic Rites at 12:45 p.m. by Charleston Masonic Lodge #35. His funeral will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Walter Miller officiating.  Burial with military rites will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Westfield.  Memorials in his honor may be made to the Professional Towing and Recovery Operators Of Illinois Scholarship Fund.

Bob was born February 21, 1931 at Rose Hill, Illinois to Glen K. and Madge (Keenan) Bartley.  He married Dorothy J. Stephen on August 19, 1954 in Casey, Illinois. She predeceased him on January 10, 2024 after almost 69 ½ years of marriage.  He is survived by three children, Judy (Robin) Justice of Ashmore, Joan (Ed) Willenborg of Montrose, and John Bartley of Charleston; two grandchildren, Trevor (Mckenzie) Justice of Westfield and Sydney Nicole Lowry of Paris; two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Justice of Westfield, as well as several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother India Bartley, infant brother Richard Bartley, half-sister and brother-in-law Freda and Merle Mendenhall, infant daughter and infant son Stephen Bartley, as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Robert and Yoshiko Stephen and Warren and Sharon Stephen.

Bob graduated from Newton High School in 1949.  He worked at Coleman Garage until joining the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1952-1954.  After leaving the service, he worked for Staley's Wrecker Service in Casey and then returned to Coleman Garage which he and Dorothy purchased in 1974, forming Bartley Garage which he owned and operated until his death.  Bob worked every day until November 27, 2024 when his health deteriorated.  They also had several rental properties over the years.

While living in Westfield for 24 years, he was very active in the community.  He was a member of the Westfield Methodist Church, later becoming United Methodist, where he served as Lay leader and on various boards and committees in the Church.  He served two terms as Mayor, a Volunteer and Trustee for the Fire Department and served on the School Board for several terms, holding the position of Secretary.  He was a member of the Westfield American Legion, Westfield Masonic Lodge, serving as Past Master, the Clark County Shrine Club, and the Valley of Danville Consistory 32nd Degree Mason.  Upon moving to Charleston in 1984, Bob became a member of the American Legion of Mattoon, Charleston Masonic Lodge, Cornbelt Shrine Club, and Ansar Shrine of Springfield.

Bob was a founding member of the Professional Towing and Recovery Operators of Illinois (P.T.R.O.I.) and served as Director until 2024, at which time he received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bob's family wants to thank the staff at Hilltop, Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice, and the Charleston Fire Department Paramedics for their kindness and compassion in caring for him.