Capt. Virgil Bartlebaugh, Jr., 86, Gold Card Member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union

He was born on June 12, 1929 in Lorain to the late Virgil Sr and Jennie (Kinzel) Bartlebaugh. He attended school as a child at St. Mary School in Lorain and graduated from Lorain High School in 1947.

During high school and a couple years following, Virgil played semi-pro hockey for a few teams in the Cleveland and Northern Ohio area until a bad car accident cut his career short.

Soon after high school, Virgil became a journeyman for the United Association of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States Local #42. He worked at various locations throughout Ohio including the construction and building of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant in Oak Harbor, Ohio then later working for George Steinbrenner as a Lead Welder manufacturing multiple massive Iron Ore Freighters and other Great Lakes vessels constructed at American Shipbuilding in Lorain during the 1970’s. Later in life, he began teaching courses at Lorain County JVS in Oberlin. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious lifetime Gold Card Membership for over 50 years of service and involvement with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union.

During the 1950’s and 1960’s, Virgil was an avid power boater and sail boater on the Great Lakes. His skill as an expert woodworker taught to him by his father helped him build multiple hand crafted wood speedboats and small sailboats over the years which he raced on a regular basis often winning or placing in his class in either of the two divisions he would enter. His passion for Lake Erie and fishing led him to be one of the first state licensed charter boat captains operating out of Lorain in the early 1980’s and 1990’s.

Even in his 70’s, Virgil’s passion for creating and building beautiful things led him back to school once again this time to learn the art of stain glass manufacturing. After a few months of training, he quickly became a highly sought after stain glass artist, designer and repairman up to his early 80’s. Many of his pieces are still displayed throughout the area.

He is survived by his 3 loving children, son Brian Bartlebaugh (Michelle) and their children Brittney, Brooke and Baron Bartlebaugh, daughters Leslie Gede and children Bobby and Shannon Humpfrey and Lynn Delili and her daughter Tanya Williams and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years and the love of his life Joan C. Bartlebaugh (nee Terschak) in 2004, son Thomas S. Bartlebaugh in 2008 and his parents .

The family will receive friends Friday 5-8 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 am in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Edward J. Smith, administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mercy New Life Hospice, 3600 Kolbe Rd, Lorain, OH. 44053.

Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.