Obituary for Steven Bartlett

Steven Bartlett

February 21, 1963 – August 30, 2021

Steven Craig Bartlett was born on February 21, 1963, in Flint, Michigan, to Ronald and Marcia (Cole) Bartlett. He passed from the bonds of earth to Heaven on August 30, 2021, in Perry, Oklahoma.

Steve grew up in Byron, Michigan, graduating from Byron High School, class of 1981. He went on to attend Central Michigan University, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel-Restaurant Management. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Steve worked for several years, post-college, before becoming a member of the Ditch Witch family. He spent over 20 years with Ditch Witch of Michigan, where he built a large and extended network of friends and colleagues. He was an active member of the Pipeliners Club of Oklahoma City, as well as NUCA (National Utility Contractors Association). He began working for Tulsa Rig Iron in Kiefer, Oklahoma on May 4, 2016, until the time of his death. Steve loved working for TRI and the comradery he had with the guys with whom he worked. They were like family to him.

Throughout his life, Steve was known to be a very kind, caring, selfless human being. If you were his friend, you were a friend for life. He loved meeting people and he truly never met a stranger. He was quick to help anyone, whether it be a home project, school project, or consulting with a colleague. However, with Steve, one didn’t get a simple yes or no answer. One got the full detailed explanation of how to do something. He made time for everyone.

In August 2007, through a Ditch Witch colleague, Steve was introduced to the love of his life, Anita Beth Slay. They knew from their first conversation that their love was going to last a lifetime. After a short engagement, Steve and Anita were married in Corunna, MI on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2008. They became a blended family of six, with Steve’s sons, Nicolas & Giovanni, and Anita’s daughters, Ciara & Alyssa. True love struck again with the births of their granddaughter, Melodi and grandson, Hayes. “Papa Steve” and Anita cherished their only two grandchildren. They were blessed with 14 beautiful years together with family, friends, and many memories and adventures.

The loss of Steve is crushing for so many. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Anita, of the home; sons, Nicolas Bartlett and Giovanni (Sophie) Bartlett, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; daughters, Ciara Tabbert and Alyssa Tabbert, of Perry, Oklahoma; parents, Ron and Marcia Bartlett, of Ocala, Florida; sisters, Ronda (John) Beach, of Fowlerville, Michigan, Lisa (Richard) Bartlett, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, Linda (Dean) Bartlett, of Byron, Michigan; brother, David (Dawn) Bartlett, of Byron, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Rhonda (Bill) Catura, ReDonna (Rick) Vaughn, Kari (Steven) Carr, of Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Steve (Kim) Slay, of Plano, TX; granddaughter, Melodi Bartlett of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; grandson, Hayes Harman, of Perry, Oklahoma; best friend, George Zavala; bonus brother, Michael Cole, of Durand, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

Steve was an active member of the Byron Masonic Lodge, where he served as past Master. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Byron Masonic Lodge #80 Scholarship Fund in Byron, Michigan in care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th St., Perry, Oklahoma 73077.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 10 AM at the First Baptist Church in Perry, OK with Richard Levings officiating. Those unable to attend the ceremony may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45AM. Steven will be laid to rest at Byron Cemetery in Byron, Michigan following the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.

We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Steven at www.troutperry.com.

Source: Trout Funeral Home