Mary Ellen Bartlett

Mary Ellen Bartlett
Freeland, Michigan
Passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Toni and Trish House. Age 83 years.
The daughter of the late Dorothy Ellen (Turner) and Wilbur LeRoy Graham was born October 14, 1936 in Thomas Township. She married Clifford A. Bartlett, October 15, 1955. Her husband of 64 years survives her. She had been an active member of Dice Wesleyan Church, serving as the Church Organist and Pianist, Director of the Dice Girls Chorus, Sunday School Teacher, and member of the Women’s Society, until the church closing. She then attended the Freeland Methodist Church and Zion Lutheran Church, both of Freeland. Mary Ellen began piano lessons at age 7 and studied music and teacher training with many instructors. She began teaching at her home, giving music lessons to many, many students. Her home studio expanded through the years and has enabled other teachers to rent studio space so they may teach the gift of music to others. Mary Ellen was an Accompanist for Solo Ensemble events and played at numerous Weddings and Funerals. She was a member of the Saginaw Music Teacher Forum, and then joined the Bay Area Music Teachers Forum and the Music Teachers National Association. She was a Past President of the Music Teachers Forum. Mary Ellen was named Teacher of the Year. She has held an annual music recital for her students for 51 years. Together, with Mary Ellen’s teaching and Cliff’s support and help they have shared music with hundreds and hundreds of students, which include many family members and friends. What a blessing! In her spare time, Mary Ellen enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting.
Surviving besides her husband, Cliff, are two daughters, Bonnie Barko and her husband, Keith; Betty Bethke; five grandchildren and their spouses, Abby Bethke; Renee and Tim Sullivan; Emily and Nicholas Scoles; James and Alesha Bethke; Randi and Ryan Brown; nine great grandchildren, Zoe Bethke, Rylee Sullivan; Wyatt, Graham and Grace Scoles; Ava, Taylor and Karlie Bethke; Amelia Brown; several nieces and nephews. Her son-in-law, John Bethke, her brother and sister-in-law, LeRoy and Donelda Graham, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Guy and Myrtle Bartlett, her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Winfred and Mae Bartlett, Lenora Conrad, Kenneth and Grace Bartlett, Mavis and Frank Martin have predeceased her.
The funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church, 545 7th St. Freeland, Michigan. Rev. David Kimbell will officiate with entombment in Chapel Hill Mausoleum. Friends may call at the W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Rd. from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday and then at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Toni and Trish House, P.O. Box 125, Auburn, Michigan 48611.