Wante John Bartol

Wante John Bartol May 20, 1920 - September 6, 2009 Colonel Wante "Bart" Bartol, USAF retired, passed away peacefully at Bayview Center in St Augustine, Florida on Sept 6, 2009. Born May 20, 1920 in Hazlebrook, PA, he led an adventurous and full life. Attending Penn State University and Temple University, he volunteered for the US Army Air Corps in 1941. Recognized as an outstanding airman, he became an instructor pilot and taught future bomber pilots in the B-24 during WWII. Not being satisfied with being an instructor he volunteered to go to war, sent to Italy in 1944 with the 15th Air Force, flying B-24s in combat. His plane was shot down over Romania, and he was captured by the Russians. He got back to his unit to finish his 17 missions until the war ended. He flew the Berlin airlift providing needed food and supplies to the Germans following the Soviet blockade of Berlin. He then served in the Korean War, flying 100 combat missions in the B-29. He was a B-36 and B-52 command pilot with the 8th Air Force, Strategic Air Command for the rest of his career, rising to be Director of Operations for the 465th Bomb Wing, retiring from Robins AFB,GA in 1969. His Air Force commendations are many. Following his retirement from the Air Force, he became a real estate broker in St Augustine Florida. He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine. He continued his love of flying into his 80s frequently flying with his son from St. Augustine Airport. Bart married Ruth Young of Hazleton PA in 1943 and was a devoted and loving husband and father to his two children, proud of the accomplishments of his 4 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He lived life to the fullest; and his honesty and good humor will be remembered with great fondness. He had a gentle and generous heart and loved people. He loved flying, fishing, baseball and cigars. He was a loyal brother to his four siblings throughout their lives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wante Bartol and Charlotte Feissner Bartol, his sister Katherine Knutsen, his brother Donald Bartol and his wife Ruth Young Bartol. He leaves to mourn his passing his children Barbara Bartol Rentenbach and son in law Thomas Michael Rentenbach II,of Knoxville, TN, son Thomas J Bartol, and daughter in law Valerie Bartol,of St Augustine, FL, grandchildren Thomas Michael Rentenbach III and wife Amy, of Atlanta, GA, Timothy John Rentenbach, and wife Lisa,of South Bend IN, Barbara Ruth Rentenbach of Knoxville, TN, Jenna Nicole Bartol of St Augustine FL, and great grandchildren, Augusta Belle Rentenbach and John Conoley Rentenbach of South bend IN. Also his sister Doris Vaughan of Schuylkill Haven PA, and brother Dr. Carl Richard Bartol of Scarsdale, NY. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home. Funeral services and interment with military honors will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be sent to the Kiwanis Club of Historic St Augustine, P.O. Box 3063, St. Augustine, FL. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.