AVILLA — Jack Lyman Bartholomew, 72, of rural Avilla, died on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He had been in failing health for the last 4 weeks. Mr. Bartholomew was born on November 29, 1941 in Celina, Ohio, to the late Stanley and Pauline (Markle) Bartholomew. On June 16, 1962, in Maderyville, Indiana, he married Mary Jane Stoll. She survives in Avilla. Jack had lived in Avilla since 1975 coming from Fort Wayne. In March 2004, after 31 years of service, he retired as a maintenance mechanic from International Harvester. He held a doctorate in mechanics from Ivy Tech and taught several courses in mechanics over the years. Jack had a passion for mechanics and loved teaching his children different auto repairs. He also enjoyed fishing, going on vacations, traveling and camping. Attending car shows, golf and loved swimming in his swimming pool, he was looking forward to the weather warming up so he could get back in the pool. He was a member of the Avilla Lions Club where he served as president. Surviving along with his wife, Jane, are 3 sons and 1 daughter-in-law: Kenneth Bartholomew of Indianapolis; Alan and Josefa Bartholomew of Waterloo; Steve Bartholomew of Hudson; 1 daughter and son-in-law: Michelle and Richard Coburn of Avilla; 12 grandchildren: David, Brittany and Brooke Bartholomew; Jalessa, Gordon, Ashton, Kelsey and Nichole Coburn; Cody Bartholomew; Tyler Mc Coy; Brandon, Matt, Jonita Miller; 5 great-grandchildren; Rayne, Damien, Carter, Kylie and Hunter; mother-in-law ,Mildred Stoll of Avilla. He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jerry Bartholomew; and his father-in-law, Albert Stoll. Funeral Services will be today, Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Brazzell Funeral Home, Avilla Chapel. The Rev. Jim Robbins will officiate. Burial will follow at the Hooper-King Cemetery near Avilla. Visitation was on Friday, May 2, 2014, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. To sign the online guest book or to view the video tribute go to Brazzell Funeral Homes | Albion IN, Avilla Indiana funeral homes