Jules S. Bartony Sr. passed away on August 17, 2025 at Staunton Health and Rehab after a lengthy illness.

Jules was born at home on September 2, 1948, to James and Mary Louise (Cretteur) Bartony. After his parents divorced, his mother married John Cook, who in every way became a father to Jules and remained so until John’s passing.

In 1982, Jules married Marie Lesicko of Livingston, beginning a 43-year journey filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Marie often said Jules was “the wind beneath her wings”-always content to let her shine while quietly helping make every dream a reality.

Jules grew up with a love for baseball and a knack for aggravating his older siblings. They loved to share stories about his childhood antics, which became family treasures. In his younger years, Jules enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his siblings and family.

His love of baseball carried into adulthood. He coached many Little League teams, leading both his sons’ and daughter’s teams to victories. He also played on countless recreational teams with local friends over the years. Jules never got tired of the game and remained a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan-even if he didn’t always agree with the coaching decisions (he was certain he could’ve done better). One of his proudest moments came when he had dinner with Cardinals management, toured the locker room and dugout, and posed with the World Series trophy. He treated it as a solemn occasion despite Marie teasing him about writing down the dugout phone number so he could call in his “expert” advice during tough innings.

Jules loved working in his yard. He found joy in mowing the grass, tending his vegetable garden, and sharing the harvest with friends, family, and neighbors. Extra produce often appeared on a table at the end of his driveway or in the community share box in Staunton. He especially enjoyed competing with his late father-in-law to see who could grow the first ripe tomato each season.

In 2005, Jules took his first cruise and was immediately hooked. Sitting on the balcony, he turned to Marie and asked, “When can we do this again?” He eventually overcame his fear of flying and traveled to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal. Although his health and the pandemic eventually grounded his travel plans, he loved reminiscing about those adventures and the people he met along the way.

Jules worked for 50 years at Olin Brass (later Global Brass and Copper) in East Alton. In 2016, after a cardiac event and open-heart surgery, hospital staff suggested a home nurse. Jules declined, stating he’d be back at work. And he was after taking the doctor-recommended 12 weeks off, he returned for two more years before finally retiring, proud to have reached the 50-year milestone. He was honored when the company president traveled from Kentucky to attend his farewell lunch. Though he often teased that Marie wouldn’t let him retire, the truth was he found joy in his work, valued the camaraderie, and loved the steady rhythm of his days. After retirement, he happily expanded his vegetable garden and embraced new travel adventures.

Not one to sit still, Jules grew restless after retirement. In early 2021, he became a school crossing guard and a yard waste attendant. Known around town as “the crossing guard guy with the big red truck,” he found joy in greeting the schoolchildren each day and would come home with stories about their sweet, silly, or surprising remarks. He also liked his role at the yard waste site, where he could catch up with old friends, chat with neighbors, and stay connected to the community he loved.

Jules was also a past volunteer firefighter for Olive Fire Department.  He also volunteered for the Tour de Donut and the Balloon Glow for many years.  

At home, Jules found joy in life’s simple pleasures: grilling in the backyard, swimming with family in the pool, tending his garden, and perhaps most of all playfully driving Marie crazy.

Jules is survived by his children, Jules Bartony Jr. of Staunton and David Bartony of O’Fallon from his first marriage, and his daughter with Marie, Ashley (Bartony) Lane, and her partner, Jared Gamboe, of Staunton. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Christine Bartony, Alexis Anderson, Jacob Bartony, Clayton Bartony, and Madilyn Gamboe; and great-grandchildren: Malia Albertson, Henry Albertson, and Hope Bartony. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley (Ron) Mulach of Hamel, and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Laverne Bartony, and his sister, Margaret Dennison.

Jules will be remembered for his kindness, quick wit, devotion to family, and a life lived with joy, generosity, and quiet strength. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 9:30 am until 11:00 am.  Funeral mass will be on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church at 11:00 am.  Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.  

Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Cemetery or Duda Park for a Jules Bartony Memorial Garden.  Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.