Joseph Bartman

Joseph “Joe” Bartman (1933-2025)

Joseph Clarence Bartman, Joe, age 92, was surrounded by his children when he passed peacefully at home in hospice care on Saturday, October 18, 2025, succumbing to end-stage heart failure. He had adapted his active lifestyle to the challenges of CHF over the past 17 years.

Joe was born June 11,1933 in Appleton, WI, the son of Edward and Harriet (Hebler) Bartman and remained a life-long resident of the Fox Valley. He graduated in 1951 from Appleton High School participating in a cappella chorus and track squad. Joe had a rich baritone singing voice, and throughout his life he was athletic, competitive, and loved sports of all kinds.

Following graduation, Joe joined the National Guard and served for 8 years. In August 1952, Joe also joined Kimberly-Clark Corp. and after working with them for 38 years, was able to retire in 1990. During his time at KC, Joe was very active with the Union and, being a ‘numbers’ guy, served for over 20 years as Union Treasurer.

On April 27, 1957, Joe married his sweetheart Dorothy Mae VanDen Boogart. Their union was blessed with 5 children, and they celebrated 52 years together until Dorothy’s passing in 2009 from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Two years later, he was fortunate to find a new partner to share his life with, Nancy Bricco. In 2014 when he was 81, Joe was proud to introduce Nancy as his fiancée. Joe and Nancy were able to travel around the U.S. and spent time in Florida during many winters. They enjoyed being together, and both were avid fans of the Packers, Bucks, Brewers and Badgers, and remained committed to each other until his passing.

Joe had many talents and skills and a DIY attitude. He could repair almost anything and taught his children how to maintain a car and handle home repairs/improvements, big and small. His passions included bowling, golf, dart-ball and cribbage… he excelled in each activity, with his name and/or photo appearing in the paper for achieving high scores and winning tournaments. He also daily exercised his mind through solving Sudoku puzzles. But his greatest accomplishment was as a father. He always found time to be with his kids when they were young, taking them swimming, roller skating or ice skating (he was very good at both), sledding or tobogganing, ball games, picnics, county fairs and often attended their school performances too. He loved his children deeply and could always be counted on to help in their time of need, even when they were adults. With his quiet strength, generosity and gentleness, he was simply the best father. Joe was a man of action; his actions demonstrated his deep love for family and friends.

Joe is survived by 4 of his 5 children: Vickie Bartman, Steve (Diane) Bartman, Gary (Tammie) Bartman, and Nic (partner Sarah Culum) Bartman; and one brother: Peter (Sharon) Bartman. He is further survived by several beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; cherished friends Louis Bellin and Kenny Smith, and his long-time neighbors in Neenah. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Joan (Bill) Thomack, Carol (Bob) Maloney, and Peggy Bartman; his wife, Dorothy, and his son, Tony

Friends and family may attend a Visitation to honor Joe on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Neenah’s Westgor Funeral Home from 1-3pm.

The family would like to give special thanks to the doctors, RNs and PCTs on the Medical 5th Floor of ThedaClark Hospital who gave 5 Star care to Joe during the several stays he had with them this year. Your attentiveness and kindness will never be forgotten. Also, to those at ThedaCare at Home and ThedaCare Hospice who aided in Joe’s care and comfort.

“If love would have been enough to save you, you would have lived forever”