Caitlin Bartley

Caitlin Bartley, 35, of Mokane, passed away on March 9, 2026, at Capital Region Medical Center, surrounded by the love of her family.

Caitlin was born on October 11, 1990, to Donald "Pat" Bartley and Beth Marie (Mealy) Melton. From a young age, Caitlin was known for her intelligence, compassion, and strong sense of purpose.

She fiercely loved her family and held her faith close to her heart. Caitlin loved the Lord and enjoyed studying the Bible and growing in her faith.

Caitlin lived a life of remarkable determination and service to others. As a child, she was named the 2002 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Goodwill Ambassador for the Central Missouri Region. In 2004, she set the MDA fundraising record for generating the greatest amount of money raised by a child, and that same year she was recognized as Student of the Year by the Fulton Breakfast Optimist Club.

During her years at South Callaway High School, Caitlin maintained A and B Honor Roll from 2005 to 2009 and was again named a Student of the Year finalist by the Fulton Breakfast Optimist Club in 2009. She also used her voice to inspire others, serving as a speaker for the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon at the University of Missouri Children's Hospital in 2009, 2011, and 2013.

Caitlin continued her academic journey at Lincoln University, where she quickly became a leader and advocate. In 2010, she served as Assistant Secretary of the Lincoln University Student Government Association. She was a panel speaker at a Women's Rights Conference in 2011 and also spoke at South Callaway High School on Disability Awareness.

In 2012, Caitlin was inducted into both the Women's Leadership Academy and the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society at Lincoln University. That same year, she helped initiate handicap-accessible improvements to two main buildings on the Lincoln University campus. Her advocacy contributed to the construction of the access bridge and renovated entrance to MLK Hall, as well as the accessible entrance and ramp at Founder's Hall. These accessibility improvements were among the final projects approved by President Carolyn Mahoney prior to her retirement from Lincoln University.

Caitlin continued to use her education and voice to advocate for others. In 2013, she served as a Psychology Intern at the Special Learning Center in Jefferson City. In 2014, she was a panel speaker at the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum Transition Summit and served as an Editorial Assistant for an LGBTQ clinical practicum reference book, where she was acknowledged for her contributions.

Her leadership continued in 2015 as a panel speaker at the Power-Up Assistive Technologies Conference on Employment and the Workplace. That same year, she completed internships as a Psychology Intern at the Boys & Girls Club in Jefferson City and was a Social Work Intern at the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV). Caitlin also served as the primary speaker for a Disability Awareness lecture for MCADSV and represented Lincoln University as a speaker at Jefferson City Hall.

In 2015, Caitlin graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, earning Magna Cum Laude honors.

She continued her advocacy and leadership as a panel speaker at the 2016 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum Transition Fair, served as a mentor for the forum, and was a speaker at the MPact Summit.

In 2017, Caitlin completed her Social Work Internship with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities – Federal Programs Unit. That same year, she earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Caitlin went on to dedicate her career to helping others through her work with the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities, where she served as a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. At the time of her passing, she was continuing her education as a Ph.D. student at the University of Missouri School of Social Work.

Outside of her professional life, Caitlin enjoyed music, especially strong women in country music. She was a devoted fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals, and she deeply loved her dogs. Above all, Caitlin cherished time with her family.

Caitlin will be remembered for her brilliant mind, compassionate heart, unwavering faith, and tireless advocacy for others. Her legacy of service, leadership, and love will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.

Those that remain to continue to cherish Caitlin's memory are her parents, Pat Bartley (Marilyn), Beth Melton (Tracy), brother, Brad Bartley (Mandi); grandmother, JoAnn Mealy; step siblings, Todd Melton (Cara), Scott Melton (Kayla), Nathan Melton (Jess), Savannah Bare (Andrew), Elhannah- Laney Kaskus, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and she was especially close to, Khalil Austin, Kalvin Peterson, and Rylee Brooks Bartley.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Donald and Melba Bartley, Roger and Midge Melton, grandfather, Bobby Mealy, great grandparents, Bernadine and Elvin Clingman, Deck and Gladys Mealy, Paris and Marie Bartley, and Boyd and Ruby Harvey.

Funeral services will be held at Maupin Funeral Home on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Nancy Hutson officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be held in Steedman Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Special Learning Center Jefferson City, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Blvd, Fulton, MO 65251.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com