C. Gene Bartlow, age 83, of Mount Prospect, passed away peacefully Oct. 11 surrounded by loved ones. Beloved husband for 62 years of Jane; devoted father of Bruce (Debi), Michael (Rebecca), Brian (Kim) and Liz Breslin (Patrick); loving grandfather of Lauren, Chris, Alexis, Casey, Joshua, Tyler, Heather, Maya and Kiley. Born July 9, 1922 in St. Joseph, MO to Floralora and Leslie Lee. Gene later accompanied his mother to Omaha, where he met and fell in love with Jane Reznichek, a beautiful young sales clerk at Brandeis, who was to be his love for the next 67 years. After enlisting in the Air Force in 1943, Gene wed Jane in Muskogee, OK, on June 23, 1943. After an honorable discharge at the end of World War II (“WW Deuce”, as he liked to called it), Gene joined McKesson & Robbins pharmaceutical company, yet another relationship that embodied Gene’s unflagging sense of loyalty and perseverance. After many awards and promotions, and earning the respect and friendship of countless peers and customers during his tenure with McKesson, Gene retired after 42 years with the company in 1987. While he often reflected fondly on his experiences and friends during his time at McKesson, his love of family was his greatest joy. Annual vacations in Estes Park, CO, as well as many other road trips around the U.S., and in later years through Europe, the Caribbean and even trekking through east Africa, are memories he, and all of his family members cherish. Throughout everything, even during the difficult times during serious illnesses of the last 15 years, his sense of humor carried him and everyone around him to a far better place. His love of audience and his ability to make people smile and laugh will forever be the cornerstone of memories of Gene for all who have had the pleasure to know him. A memorial celebration and visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 14, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home at 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights, 847-253-0168. A second visitation at Glueckert will occur from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, followed by a Memorial Service, and then interment in the Veterans’ section of Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights. The family would ask that, when you think of Gene in the future, please remember his stories and jokes, and the happiness and laughter he brought to everyone around him.
