Robert LaRue Bartlett, 94, of St. Petersburg, Florida passed away Sunday, August 5, 2012 at the Woodside Hospice Center in St. Petersburg, FL.. Robert was born January 2, 1918 in St. Louis, MO to Vollie Medford Bartlett and Gwendolyn Marie LaRue Bartlett. He was united in marriage on July 17, 1937  to Zelma Natalie Daniels who preceded him in death in 1973.

He had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, and followed the Lord in baptism in 1932 at Southwest Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO. Robert attended and graduated from Southwest High School in 1936 and Ranken Technical College in 1940 in St. Louis, MO. He joined the plumbers and fitters Local 101 on March 6, 1942. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. In 1980, he retired from Local 101 and moved to St. Petersburg, FL. He was a member of the Clearview Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, FL.

His mother, Gwendolyn was from Steelville and lived out her later years on Spring St. His wife, Zelma was from Salem, MO and her mother, Adia lived for many years in Steelville.

Robert met his wife Zelma at the Tower Grove Baptist Church in South St. Louis where they lived for awhile and later moved to Afton, MO and then to Belleville, IL where he raised his family.

He was instrumental in establishing the welding school at Belleville Junior College and was active in the apprenticeship program at Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local Union 101 in Belleville, IL.  In March 2012, he received his 70 year plaque from the Local Union 101 of which he was very proud. Robert held a private pilots license and was for a long time active in the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was generous in helping fellow EAA members in welding projects on their home built aircrafts. He also rebuilt a Piper Super Cruiser that he owned in partnership with two others.

He was a loving, patient and caring father who was always diligent in providing for the needs of his family.

Those left to mourn his passing are his one son Daniel Bartlett and wife Mei Mei of St. Petersburg, FL; daughter Susan Schoenebeck and husband Gary of Kansas City, MO; two grandchildren Christy Adams and husband Chris and Brad Bartlett all of St. Petersburg, FL; one great-grand-daughter Samantha Adams;step-grandchildren Wai and Esther Lui, Jim and Alisa Chin; three step-great-grandchildren Alischa Lui, Samantha and ALex Chin; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Zelma; and one step-son William (Billy) Bramel.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Steelville Cemetery with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating.

Committal prayer and burial with full military honors were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Local arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.