Nothing like us ever was.

--Carl Sandburg, "Four Preludes on the Playthings of the Wind"

Charles Michael Bartholomew, 68, passed away in the late evening of Sunday June 18, 2017 in Michigan City, Indiana.

Michael was born on February 13, 1949 in Valparaiso, Indiana to Irene (Berkowski) and  Charles Robert Bartholomew. He grew up in town and graduated the local high school as part of the class of 1967. He went on to attend Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana and graduated with a degree in Physics (1971). There he worked for the college radio station,WNDY-FM. Mike then went on to earn his MFA in Journalism (1973) at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. There he was able to obtain permission from author Isaac Asimov for his thesis:”Cognitive Effects from Using Analogies to Communicate Physics to Audiences in Different Decision-Situations”.

After college, Mike returned back to Valparaiso and got a job at a radio station in Crown Point, WFLM. While working at WJOB-AM in Hammond, Indiana Mike met Penny Nelson. They got engaged in 1978. The two were married in 1979.

Mike moved to Wheeling, IL in 1980 and secured a job at WXLC-FM in Waukegan, IL. While in Wheeling, the couple welcomed their three children: Mary (1983), Joseph (1985), and Robert (1989).

In 1998, Mike moved the family to Chesterton, IN. He had gotten a job at WIMS-AM in MIchigan City, IN. After the station closed down, Mike went to work for the Post Tribune. He was known for doing all the “oddball” stories; from ghost hunts to local LARPS. Mike also lent his voice to do the Kankakee Historical Society for various projects. He also self published “The Sleigh Elf’s Daughter” in 2007.

Mike retired in 2011 from Journalism. He moved into a care facility shortly afterwards. There, he collected the poems he had written over the years and self published “Up the Road from Tassinong”. He enjoyed going on walks, to Church, and the movies.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 34 years, Penny Nelson Bartholomew (2002) and his sister Robin Dale Bartholomew (2014). He is survived by his siblings Steve Bartholomew and John Bartholomew. By his children Mary, Joseph, and Robert.

Visitation will be held on Monday June 26 from 4-6pm at the Bartholomew Funeral Home 102 Monroe Street, Valparaiso. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday June 27 at 1pm at Bartholomew Funeral Home. Pastor Howard Seel will be officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Valparaiso.  To sign a guestbook, www.bartholomewnewhard.com

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