Mary Lou Roberta (Meeker) Bartlow (1925 - 2017)

Born 17 Mar 1925 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA

Wife of Harlin Earl Bartlow — married 7 Jan 1956 in Arkansas

Died 5 May 2017 at age 92 in Harrison, Boone County, Arkansas, USA

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Biography

Mary Lou Roberta (Meeker) Bartlow, of Olvey, Arkansas, passed away Friday, May 5, 2017 at NARMC in Harrison, Arkansas at the age of 92.

The daughter of Milton and Elva (Raldolph) Meeker was born March 17, 1925 at Des Moines, Iowa.

Growing up in Des Moines, she attended Adams Grade School and Woodrow Wilson Jr. High. She was became a born again Christian during 9th grade on January 9, 1940 at Staves Church. She graduated East High School in June 1943, after which, she worked in the war effort during WWII making army cartridge belts. In September 1945, she enrolled in Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where she was also baptized on July 20, 1947 by Pastor Dr. Harry Ironside at Moody Church. After graduating from Moody December 18, 1947, she traveled to New York City in the spring of 1948 to work at Booth Memorial Hospital, where she completed her LPN training in March 1949. Shortly after, she moved to Lebanon, Ohio to work at Otterbein Home and Orphanage, operated by United Brethren Churches. During this time she applied to China Inland Mission, and traveled back to Chicago to complete her post graduate work in missionary medical classes at Moody Bible Institute. Sadly, China closed its doors to missionaries before she was accepted to the Inland Mission program.

In April 1952, she applied to North Arkansas Gospel Missions and accepted a position and moved to Arkansas. She continued with her mission work in North Arkansas and was present during the creation of Rock Haven Bible Camp and Ministries, where she met Harlin Earl Bartlow. She and Harlin married January 7, 1956 and were both instrumental founding members of Rock Haven.

She was active in local churches, teaching Sunday School and being a Pastor's wife. She remained active at Rock Haven Ministries and was known throughout the community as "The Bible Lady", a job she held for 60 years.

Mary Lou was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord Jesus, with unwavering faith. She was a devoted wife, and mother, that raised her children based on biblical principals; she was a loving grandmother and faithful, loyal friend and caregiver. Her door was always open and her hospitality was generous and heartfelt. She was also a gifted poet and a longtime member of Western Grove Bible Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harlin Bartlow, and all 9 of her brothers and sisters.

Mary Lou is survived by her 3 sons, John Bartlow and wife, Cheryl of Omaha, AR; Tim Bartlow and wife, Donna of Hasty, AR; and Steve Bartlow and wife, Carol of Joseph, OR; 5 grandchildren, Nathan Bartlow, Michele Brannon, Kimberly Bartlow, Joel Bartlow and Grace Bartlow; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives, along with her missionary and church families.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May 8, 2017 at Coffman Funeral Home Chapel in Harrison, Arkansas with Pastor Dennis Sisco and Rev. Steve Bartlow officiating.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 PM at Coffman Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers are the staff of Rock Haven Bible Camp and members of Western Grove Bible Church.

Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Rushville City Cemetery in Rushville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials made in her memory at Rock Haven Bible Camp, PO Box 40, Hasty, AR, 72640; to help continue the work she was passionate about.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179057775/mary_lou-roberta-bartlow