Doris Bartle passed away May 9, 2012, at 11:22 a.m. at Heartland Health Care Center in Champaign, Ill., with her sons at her bedside. The cause of death was heart failure. She was 85.
She was the mother of James Bartle (Amy) and John Bartle (Lori), and grandmother of Grace, Violet and Kate Bartle of Lawrence, Kan., and Alexander and Sarah Bartle of Omaha, Neb. She is also survived by a cousin, David W. Sponenberg, of Johnstown, N.Y.
Doris was born February 23, 1927, in Gloversville, N.Y. and grew up in Johnstown, N.Y., the only child of Walter and Marion Dillon Sponenberg. She was valedictorian of Johnstown High's Class of 1944 and earned the B.A. degree from Wellesley College, and the M.A. degree from the University of Chicago. She studied as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Grenoble, France, and also studied at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She was an instructor of French Literature and a research assistant at the University of Illinois. She also volunteered for many years with Recording for the Blind in Champaign.
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Ms. Bartle
In 1951, she married Robert Bartle whom she met at the University of Chicago. They moved to Champaign in 1955, where he was a professor of mathematics at the University of Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce in 1982.
She loved literature, music, arts and travel. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. Her kindness and thoughtfulness will be remembered by those she touched.
Memorial services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Champaign at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, May 26. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to WILL-FM: will.illinois.edu/support/pledgeform
Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, 201 N. Elm, Champaign, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences to the family may be offered online at www.HeathandVaughn.com