John A. Bartholow, 89, formerly of Lake Wales, Fla. and Belle Plaine, Minn., passed away on Jan. 28, at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Md.

John was born on July 19, 1923, to Harry and Marjorie (Wilson) Bartholow in Yale, Iowa. A lifelong educator, John graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) following his service in the Navy during World War II. He later received a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in New York City and a Doctorate from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wy.

In 1948 he married Martha MacDonald of Guthrie Center, Iowa.

John began his teaching career in Iowa combining his love of history with his love of sports with teaching assignments and coaching girls basketball in several small towns in Iowa.

In 1958, John and Martha moved to Minnesota where he served as superintendent of schools in Ruthton, Grey Eagle and most notably in Belle Plaine from 1967-1987.

Following his retirement as Belle Plaine Superintendent of Schools, John and Martha relocated to Lake Wales, Fla., where he continued an active retirement life as a member of the Lake Wales Presbyterian Church choir and the Lake Wales Chorale singing group. Retirement also allowed time for several trips travel to Europe and the Middle East allowing John to continue to indulge his lifelong interest in history.

In 2007, John and Martha moved north to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Md. While at Asbury, John served as a liturgist at the Asbury Chapel, as a member of the Asbury Foundation and continued his singing as a member of a local men’s quartet. He also continued to faithfully follow the fortunes of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Gophers and Florida Gators sports teams.

John is survived by his wife Martha, daughter Joylyn Corey of Millersville, Md., and sons, Dr. John Bartholow II of Eau Claire, Wis. and Jim Bartholow of Rosemount, Minn., their spouses, as well as numerous grandchildren.

In memory of John and his commitment to education, the family has asked for memorials to the Belle Plaine Dollars for Scholars fund. These may be sent c/o Joy Corey, 101 Stonestep Court, Millersville, Minn., 21108.