Kenneth J. “Wiindahgo” Bartol, Sr., 53, of 2090 Sugarloaf Avenue, Marquette, passed away Sunday evening, October 23, 2005, at Marquette General Hospital, where he had been hospitalized for the past seven weeks.

Ken was born on April 8, 1952, in Marquette, to John and Irene (Gauthier) Bartol, and was a lifelong resident of Marquette.

Ken attended Marquette Senior High School and was then drafted into the United States Navy where he served on the USS Hunley for a three year tour of duty, as a Fireman First Class. Upon returning to Marquette, Ken attended classes for welding and then worked for many years at Lake Shore, Inc. After Lake Shore, Inc, Ken worked a variety of jobs, mostly as a laborer.

More than anything else, Ken gave his time and effort to helping others. The last ten years of his life were spent taking care of his elderly parents. Even though this was a lot to ask of him, he always did it with a warm heart and a kind smile. He also found the time to help the rest of his family anytime they needed him. He was always helping someone move, paint, or work on a car; and always with the same giving heart.

If the measure of a man is how he made his family, friends, and others feel, then Ken was truly a good man, because that is how he made others feel. Knowing Ken made you feel like a better person, just knowing him. Ken was a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Ken is survived by:

His mother: Irene Bartol of Escanaba

Three children: Starlene Bartol of Ishpeming; Kenneth J. (Tonya) Bartol Jr of Marquette; Angel Carter of Marquette

Grandchildren: Dylan Bartol; Devin Coughlan; Toivo Hendrickson III

Two brothers: John (Sheryl) Bartol of Green Bay, WI; Kevin (Judy) Bartol of Escanaba

Two sisters: Candace Woodruff of Stuart, FL; Danielle (Keith) Green of Whitman, MA

Aunt: Angela Paquette of Marquette

Many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his father; and a brother-in-law, Tommy Woodruff.

Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Thursday, October 27, beginning at 11:00 am. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 pm with Captain David Daugherty of the Salvation Army officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Salvation Army, 1009 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette.