Mario J. "Bart" Bartolini, Sr., age 86, of Hobart, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2016 at home. He was born on January 29, 1930 in Clairton, Pennsylvania to the late Gino and Alberta Bartolini. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War. He retired from National Steel Midwest Division after 19 years of service. Mario was a member of the Hobart Eagles Post # 2498 and the American Legion Post # 454 in New Chicago. He liked to garden and enjoyed spending his free time sitting on the sun porch, whistling and playing his poker machine.
Mario is survived by his sons, Mario J. Bartolini Jr., Michael (Jamie) Bartolini; daughter, Cynthia Bartolini; 5 grandchildren, Joey (Missy) Ondo, Dana (Ed Kalberer) Ondo, Lindsey, Gavin, Carley, Kyle and Courtney Bartolini; 4 great grandchildren, Alyssa, Amber and Joey Ondo, Stephanie Kalberer.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Susann (nee Cochran) Bartolini; two great grandchildren, Eddie and Gino Kalberer; two brothers, Amerigo and Aldo Bartolini; sister in law, Doris Bartolini.
A funeral service for Mario will take place Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart with Rev. David Kime officiating. He will be laid to rest at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 11:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.