Jeffrey Walter Bartkoski

Jeffrey Walter Bartkoski, age 35, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away Wednesday morning, July 28, 2010. Jeff was born in Phoenix, Ariz., to Betty Evelyn (Hutchison) and Joseph Edward Bartkoski on March 14, 1975, and was their 15th child.

In Aug. 1978, the family moved to El Dorado Springs where Jeff grew up and went to school. After high school, Jeff attended Nashville Auto-Diesel College. He joined the U.S. Army in 1994 and served until 1998. Later he worked for Par Electric, 0' Sullivans. Joplin Ford and Wal-Mart. In Feb. 2002, he re-enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Iraq. He was honorably discharged on Sept. 9, 2004.

Jeff was a kind, quiet person, who enjoyed his privacy. For the last two years, Jeff had worked as a security guard for Securitas in Springfield.

Preceding Jeff in death were: his grandparents; parents; and one brother-in-law Larry Gooden, Sr.

Jeff is survived by two brothers: Tom (Linda) Bartkoski and Ed (Linda) Bartkoski; and 12 sisters: Pat Many (Dale), Virginia Binder, Barbara Jessup (Bill), Maggie Sherman (Sevey), Beverly Schroeder (Dave), Jodi Cauthon (David), Rosemary Turner (Larry), Eileen-Gooden, Kathy Porter (Melvin), Carolyn Crisp (Dan), Becky Collins (Kevin), and Betty Jo Convery. Also surviving are aunts, uncles, cousins and many nieces and nephews who all loved their Uncle Jeff.

A visitation will be held at Bland-Hackleman Chapel , El Dorado Springs, on Monday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m., with funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Rev. Brent Bland will officiate. Final disposition is cremation under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. A private burial will be at a later date.