Barton Housman Obituary
Bart was born Saturday, May 24, 1947, to Calvin and Eleanor (Hagen) Housman in Toledo, Ohio. Following his high school education, Bart continued his studies at Michigan State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree.
Bart married Frances Marie Hoefer on Saturday, March 22, 1980, in Guttenberg, Iowa.
Prior to his retirement, Bart was employed by Kellogg Corporation as Vice President of International Operations. From 1983-85, Bart was the production manager for the Muncy (Pa.) Plant of Frito Lay, Inc. He then became the plant manager until 1987, and then was promoted to General Plant Manager of the Muncy plant, now owned by Kellogg. He remained in this position until 1994, when he became the Vice President of North American Procurement for Kellogg, serving in that position from 1994-98. From 1998 until 2001, he was the Vice President of Information Technology Systems Implementation, and from 2001-02, he was the Vice President of Snacks Integration. From 2003-05, he served as Vice President of International Supply Chain, and from 2005-07, he was Vice President of Snacks Network Optimization. In 2008, he began working as the Director of Strategic Planning and Manufacturing for Bell Plantation, Inc.
Active in the communities he resided in over the years, Bart served as Chairman of the Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce in Pennsylvania; United Way Campaign Chairman; Commissioner of Boy Scouts of America; and served on the Penn State University Food Science Department Advisory Council. After retiring to the family home in Glen Arbor, Bart was a member of the Glen Lake Noontiders, the Empire Lions Club and the Traverse City Economic Club. He enjoyed joining the guys — always bringing the cookies — for coffee at Rich's Barber Shop in Empire to discuss the topics of the day.
Bart is survived by his wife, Fran Housman of Glen Arbor; his children, Stacy (Aaron) Schmitzer of Galesburg, Barton J. Housman of Chicago; his parents, Calvin and Eleanor Housman of Petersburg; a sister, Brenda (Dennis) White of Dundee; a brother, Bradford (Nancy) Housman of Brooklyn; and his nephews and nieces, Troy and Brian White, Nita Housman and Jenny (Matt) Baird. Also surviving are his extended family, the Hoefer and Schmid families, along with many friends.
Visitation for friends and family will be held Friday, March 13, from 1 until 3 p.m. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Services celebrating Bart's life begin at 3 p.m. Friday, also at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Empire this spring.
The family asks that Bart be remembered through memorial contributions to the Empire Lions Club or to the Empire Area Heritage Group/Museum, two organizations in which Bart was involved. Envelopes are available from the funeral home.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
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GAYLORD HYDAL
March 5, 2019
Ten years after and still greatly missed.
Gaylord Hydal
March 5, 2016
Seven years since you were called home, Bart. Rest in God's peace.
Peter Carrothers
June 6, 2009
Dear Fran and family
What a shock to hear about Bart's passing. He was also so bigger than life. He was a great co worker at Frito Lay and has been a friend since I first met him in Topeka over 35 years ago.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and rest assured that Bart left the world a lot better for being such a great guy to friends, family, co workers and loved ones.
We will all miss him.
Michael Bracka
May 28, 2009
I had the great fortune to work with Bart on his visits to Australia. He was a great baker who had a "wow" of a time in our bakery near Sydney.
His smile was infectious, his geniality and generosity without limits and his wisdom shared without favour.
He reached out to me from afar when times were testing - both professionally and personally.
Bart was a terrific man.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
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Jeff Ranck
April 7, 2009
Fran, BJ and Stacy,
We just learned of Bart's passing. What a shock and great loss for all of us who knew Bart.
I still have the picture I took of Bart, JR and BJ at a Phillies game on a hot August day in the mid 1990's. It hangs on our wall.
We all hoped that we'd see Bart and all of you again someday at Sand Run. We miss you all and keep you in our thoughts.
Jim & Colleen Clauser
March 22, 2009
Dear Fran, Stacy, & BJ:
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of a great Husband, Dad, & Friend! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and my God see you through this tough time! God Bless!!!!!!
Chris Hagen Straub
March 19, 2009
Fran and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I have so many memories of our childhood that have been brought back recently from sorting old photographs. We spent many hours and our grandparent's on Elm Street.
He will be missed by many.
The "older" cousin
Sara and John Holcomb
March 17, 2009
To the Housman Family-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you feel the love and support of all those who have been blessed to know your family.
Dan & Linda (Diesing) Moga
March 16, 2009
To the Housman Family,
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We shared many good times with Bart. For me it began in high school, then later at MSU where he introduced me to his friend Dan. His spirit continues on in the memories of those lives he touched. With deepest sympathy.
Carrie Skillman
March 16, 2009
To the Housman Family -
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Housman was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. Your family will remain in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time.
Love, Carrie Skillman
Gloria Pierce
March 15, 2009
Dearest Fran,
Garry and I are so sorry for your loss.
A wonderful man will never be far from our hearts.
Fran, we will always be here for you and the kids.
Love forever and ever,
Gloria, Garry Ben and Jen xoxox
Craig and Gail Lewis
March 13, 2009
Fran,Stacy and B.J.
We mourn for your loss but rejoice in the memories that will be ours forever. Bart's intensity when you talked to him, when he listened to you, is a rare quality and a treasured and well remembered gift. We do wish that we had met you many years ago.
Mark Nightingale
March 13, 2009
Fran and family I am so sorry for your loss.I hope that family and friends can help comfort you.We will all miss Bart.
Gaylord Hydal
March 13, 2009
Friendship
Bart Housman touched many lives. Beloved husband, father, and son. Brother. Colleague. Mentor. Friend.
I was privileged to call Bart my lifelong friend.
Bart was truly my oldest friend. He was born two days before me; our mothers shared a room at Toledo Hospital.
Growing up in the small rural town of Petersburg, Michigan, Bart and I attended the same school from kindergarten to high school graduation. For five years, we studied Luther’s Small Catechism together at “Saturday School” before our confirmation at age 13.
From Boy Scouts to band, Bart and I shared a Tom Sawyer-like boyhood. We hunted and fished together, canoed the River Raisin, and shot our .22s down by the river. Bart even remembered the time I shot a reed in half on the opposite bank.
After high school, our careers took different paths; Bart’s to business, mine the military. We got together for some ice fishing on Lake Erie the winter of 1970-71. And then we didn’t see each other for thirty-three years or so.
By then, my boyhood pal had become a fine man, a respected and successful business leader with many accomplishments and honors. Seeing him again those many years later, it was remarkable that Bart’s demeanor was unchanged.
The passage of time didn’t alter Bart’s friendship. It was as simple as that.
Bart Housman never forgot where he came from, or who he was.
Neither will I.
Rest in Peace, Good Friend.
Cortland Dusseau
March 13, 2009
My sincere sympathy to all the Housman Family, We will all miss him. I have known Bart since second grade. We were together through many adventures, Boy Scouts, 4-H, selling real estate, our mortgage company in Harbor Springs, Michigan State, and many more memories, too many to list and all of them good.
Jim & Sandy Witt
March 13, 2009
To the Housman Family,
Jim & I were so shocked to read of Bart's passing in the paper this week. Our deepest sympathy to all your family. Memories of Petersburg and Elm Street long ago come to mind. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry.
Mary Dordan
March 13, 2009
Fran and family. My prayers and thought are with you. Bart was a very well liked guy. Everyone will miss him. You will have all the good times/memories to cherish.
March 12, 2009
Fran, Stacy and BJ,
In thought and prayer we will be with you, family and friend at tomorrow's celebration of life service for Bart, a grand gentleman who will be missed.
Mary and Ron Prange, Portage
Gary & Jo Libstorff
March 11, 2009
To the Housman family,
We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. It is with great sadness to learn of the death of our high school classmate, with whom we spent many happy times. We are so glad to have been able to spend time with Bart and Fran at our last class reunion, seeing him laugh one more time. Our prayers are with you.
Gary and Jo-Ellyn Libstorff
Charles Dusseau
March 11, 2009
I am saddened and shocked to hear of Bart's sudden passing. We had great times together when we all shared the house on Lake James with my brother Cork and Dan Seegert. My heartfelt condolences to Fran and the entire family.
Laura & Miguel Young-Flores
March 11, 2009
Brad and family. There isn't any words to bring your brother back or to ease your sorrow, all we can say is that we are sorry for your loss and we will be here if you need anything.
Dave Zook
March 11, 2009
Stacy and Aaron: I am sad for you on the loss of your father. Cherish the happy memories and the love you shared.
Alan and Sara Harris
March 11, 2009
Dear Fran , we were shocked and saddened to hear of Bart's passing - please accept our deepest condolences.
I got to know Bart when we worked together in Kellogg international , and what struck me the most was his ability to rise to any challenge , however formidable . I remember when we asked him to go to help the locals in the Australian baking operation ; now , these "locals" were giants , strapping Tongans and Samoans who didn't suffer fools gladly . True to character , Bart went straight in there , improved productivity and quality , and won them over - to the extent that they christened him " Tiny ". Bart loved that.
We will all miss him . Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers .
Rachel Wilcox
March 10, 2009
Dear Fran, Stacy, and BJ. Scary thing, Life? We never know what the future holds. I hope you find some comfort in knowing that he will 'always' be with you even though he is not physically here. He wouldn't want you to be sad. Celebrate his life. From everything I've read about him, he sure led a good one. Very intelligent and caring. He will be missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Call me if you ever need me. I'll be there.
Allison Bradac
March 10, 2009
Fran, Stacy, and BJ - I can't even begin to express how sorry I am for your loss. While I know no words can bring you comfort, I know that your memories and stories of Bart will stay with you forever. I sincerely hope that you all will find peace. My deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dave Doyle
March 10, 2009
Dear Housman family:
I was deeply saddened to hear about Bart. I had the priviledge to work with Bart through the Keebler/Kellogg transition. I always found Bart to be very professional and a great adviser. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.
Juliette Bowman
March 10, 2009
Mrs. Housman, Stacy, Schmitty, BJ, and family,
I am truely sorrowed to learn of your loss. I will remember Mr. Housman as a loving father and husband to his family as well as a generous host to Stacy's sorority friends. I pray that love, good memories, and the support of loved ones will comfort you while you cope with this sadness.
Peter and Christie Brooks
March 10, 2009
Dear Fran and family,
"Big Daddy" as Bart was affectionately known in Muncy, will truly be missed by all those that he touched. He did so much to develop us all into the leaders we are today. A look at the Supply Chain leadership around the Kellogg Company is the living legacy Bart was most proud. Our deepest sympathy to the entire Housman family, our prayers are with you.
John Schnorberger
March 10, 2009
Cal and Eleanor. So sorry to heard that your son Bart passed away. Cal, you were always so proud of him. I remember at work you always talked about him. My condolences to you and your family.
March 10, 2009
Fran and family, Bart was and still is the Muncy Plant. The standards he set here are what made us successful. The standards he set for the individuals he worked with are what made us successful. I Thank God he gave me a chance. We will always remember him. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Kevin and Pat Moore
The Mehl Family Michelle Mike Cameron Tori
March 10, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May the peace and grace of God help you though this time.
Melissa Haid
March 10, 2009
Fran, Stacy, and BJ - Words cannot express how truly sorry I am for your loss. I think about you every day and pray that the wonderful family memories you hold in your heart and the support of your family and friends help to comfort you during this difficult time.
With Deepest Sympathy and Hugs.
Brian Wagner
March 10, 2009
We'll miss our fellow Spartan! Go Green!
Thoughts and prayers are with you all!
March 10, 2009
To the Housman family,
My sincere condolences to all for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy De Forrest
Kellogg's Snacks
Plant Manager - Florence, KY
March 10, 2009
Fran, Family and Friends===I was shocked to hear of a dear friend and coworker passing. bart always was a dear coheart to me. We had a mutual understanding and friendship from the beginning of our Muncy days/ Please accept mine and maxi's deepest sympathy for this dear loss.
Don Thomason==Florida
Michelle Baker
March 10, 2009
I will miss his big smile and even bigger hugs. Stacy, BJ (Bart) and Mrs. Housman you are all in my thoughts. I love you all.
Ricky & Sherri Winowiecki
March 10, 2009
Fran, Stacy,Aaron,& BJ Our family has been friends with yours for a long time now...Our thoughts and prayers are with now and in the days ahead. Bart was a inspiration to all who knew him. But his love for his family always took priority over all and that was clear. That Bond of family will bring you threw this sad time. Because you have the most awesome Guardian Angel watching over all of you now. We love you all, and if there is anything we can do in this time of grief please let us know.
Sue Reinoehl
March 10, 2009
Fran, Stacy and BJ, My thoughts are with you during such a shocking and sad time. Bart was a great guy even if he scared my kids out of their costumes every Halloween.
Ashlea Walter
March 10, 2009
Fran and family, I'm so sorry to hear of Bart's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy Dietrich
March 10, 2009
I work with Brad at Saline. I wish the family comfort and peace at this time. Take good care.
Gail Kennedy
March 10, 2009
Bart was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved and enjoyed his family and friends. Fran was the love of his life, and he cherished his role as dad to Stacy and Bart (BJ). He was a committed husband, father & friend.
I had the pleasure of being Bart's secretary during the time he was VP, International Supply Chain for Kellogg Company. After we both retired, we became northern Michigan "neighbors" and visited at each other's homes.
My husband, Ed, and I share in your loss.
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