Morton Bartek, 80, of Altoona died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at Golden Living Center – Hillview Nursing Home, Altoona.
Mr. Bartek, also known to many as Marty, was born in far Rockaway, Long Island, NY, a son of the late John and Susan (Warsek) Bartek. His family relocated when he was 12 years old to Rootville,  a town located near Smoke Run.
He was a 1949 graduate of the Beccaria Township High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War.
Mr. Bartek completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was trained as a teletype operator and stationed primarily at Fort Meade, MD. He attained the rank of sergeant. He remained very proud of his military service throughout this life.
Upon discharge from the U.S. Air Force, he worked at a variety of jobs in and around Cleveland, OH area before returning home to marry Patricia Kuhn Bartek and having their family in the Juniata section of Altoona.
He worked as a die setter and eventually became the superintendent of the metal shop at Lumax Industries in Altoona, a position he held until his retirement. After retirement he worked briefly on a part-time basis as a consulting engineer with Lumax.
Mr. Bartek was a true craftsman, indulging in numerous hobbies throughout his lifetime. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on rivers and lakes pursuing his passion and the peace of mind it gave him.
He’s survived by two sons and a daughter, David M. Bartek and his wife, L. Norene of Altoona; Timothy A. Bartek and his wife, Dotty of New Germany; and Cheryl A. Lauer and her husband, Mark of Glen Allen, VA.
He is survived by six grandchildren, Michael Bartek, Kaitlyn Kieta, Kelsey Bartek, Eric Lauer, Ashley Cooper and Melissa Lauer and three great-grandchildren. He’s also survived by a sister and brother, Emily Francisco and her husband, Edward of Portland, OR and John Ronald Bartek and his wife, Connie of Smoke Run and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Feb. 1, 2010.
Friends will be received from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until the hour of services Thursday at the Kruise Funeral Home Inc., Ramey
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas A. McCoy officiating.
Graveside Services will follow in Hegarty’s Crossroad Cemetery, Beccaria Township. Military honors will be accorded by the Osceola Mills Honor Guard.
Condolences may be sent to: condolences@kruisefuneralhome.com.
