Verle Lynn Bartgis

At 80 years old, Verle Lynn Bartgis, passed away in Stockton, Missouri on Thursday September 26th. Lynn was born on January 26, 1944, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Verle Morton Bartgis and Norma Jean (Crenshaw) Bartgis. He experienced many successes in his lifetime starting with football in high school. This led to an opportunity to play the sport on a collegiate level in Houston, Texas and East Central University in Ada, Ok. On February 14, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Judith (Judy) Ann Meyers at the First Christian Church in Ada, Ok. As husband and father to three children, he worked as a laboratory technologist and hospital lab director, hospital administrator, and Vice President of the family car dealership in Vinita, Oklahoma. In his fifties, he became an ordained minister and served at the Family Praise Center in Vinita, Oklahoma for many years. He liked to draw and laugh. Many may remember his MoJo character and his articles in the Vinita newspaper. Although he never lost his appreciation for football and fishing, his creative energy inspired many hobbies. He collected stamps, coins, rocks, Santa Claus statues, and antique diecast vehicles. His family especially cherished his collection of live birds. He was a wood craftsman and truck enthusiast. Genealogy and car shows became another enjoyable past time. In his later years, he made an abundance of woven key chains.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and one grandchild. Survivors include his three children: Brent Bartgis and wife Julia of Bolivar, Missouri; Michael Bartgis and wife Sharmie of Pryor, Oklahoma; and Rebecca Guadian and husband Oscar of Ft. Worth, Texas; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday October 4 at Shipman’s Funeral Home in Pryor, Oklahoma.

The celebration of life will be held on Saturday October 5, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Family Praise Center in Vinita, Oklahoma with Pastor Jerry Ogdon officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Vinita. Arrangements are under the care of Shipman’s Funeral and Cremation Service in Pryor, Oklahoma.