Carolyn A. Bartlett

Carolyn Bartlett age 44 of Canton, December 20, 2005. Beloved wife of Mark. Dear mother of Bejamin L. (Samantha); Bethany M.; Peter E.; and David R. Dear daughter of Victor and Shirley Panter of Lambeth, Ontario, Canada. Dear sister of Sandra Jarvis; Beverly Bernard; and Wendy Graham; as well as many nieces and nephews. Carolyn Ann Panter was born October 4, 1961 to Victor and Shirley Panter in Simcoe, Ontario. Many of her childhood memories were, "on the farm," where she lived with her three sisters Sandra, Beverly and Wendi just outside of London, Ontario. Carolyn's life was centered on and devoted to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her relationship with Him began at nine when she asked God to forgive her sin and be her Savior at Simcoe Gospel Chapel. Her most vivid memory of that decision was the singing of the hymn "Just As I Am," and being struck that she could be loved and accepted by a holy God. At age 16 Carolyn met Mark Bartlett on a mission trip in Edmonton, Alberta and the two of them were wed June 6, 1981, just before Carolyn's twentieth birthday. God gifted Carolyn and Mark four incredible children - Benjamin on July 18, 1982, Bethany on June 12, 1985, Peter on September 4, 1987 and David on July 8, 1990. Nothing gave greater joy to Carolyn than the experience of seeing each of her children come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, and to see them begin the process of growing in their faith walk with God. This foursome was later expanded to six: First by Michele Choukmaev, an exchange student who trusted Christ while living with the Bartlett's and remains close in their hearts, and then again when Ben married Samantha Quan, a loving person who has fit right in with the family. Lake Pointe Bible Church was Carolyn's home church. She served by starting AWANA, ministering in the youth group, and involving herself in Bible studies and many other activities. However, the activities were never her focus. Carolyn cared deeply for the people at Lake Pointe and considered them family in every sense of the word. Carolyn loved camp. As a child she enjoyed Forest Cliff Camp. Nothing compared, though, to the fulfillment she experienced serving as a counselor at Upper Peninsula Bible Camp. She devoted much of her life to helping young people sort through the difficulties of growing into adulthood, and never passed on an opportunity to encourage them to grow in their faith. Carolyn was a world traveler, but not in the sense most people would understand that phrase. She was never one for vacationing, but preferred instead to go on family mission trips where she could serve others and share the good news of Jesus. In that pursuit she went to Venezuela, Mexico, New Mexico, South Carolina, Alaska twice, and the Ukraine three times. Carolyn was also committed to helping serve at Michigan Theological Seminary. While she liked to volunteer with just about anything, she was the chairwoman of the Women in the Word conference sponsored by the seminary. She often was amazed that God could use a simple farm girl from Canada in a seminary. In October of 2004 Carolyn was diagnosed with Cholangio carcinoma, a cancer affecting the bile duct and liver part of the abdomen. She survived a seven hour surgery that November, followed by six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite these treatments, Carolyn's cancer returned last October. Though by many standards Carolyn's life was short, by her standards it was filled with the blessings of a merciful, sovereign and loving God. Her testimony throughout the years she endured cancer was, "It is well with my soul." Visitation will be held Thursday 3-9 PM at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 46401 West Ann Arbor Road (between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. Her body will lie in state Friday from 12 Noon until the 1:00 PM funeral service at Risen Christ Lutheran Church, 46250 Ann Arbor Road (at McClumpha) Plymouth, with Pastor Dean Johnson of Lake Pointe Bible Church officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Dixboro, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Upper Peninsula Bible Camp,c/o 48095 Powell Road, Plymouth MI 48170. To leave a message of condolence, click on the Online Condolences link on this page.