Gelletia (Tompkins) Bartles

Town of Clinton – Gelletia E. Bartles, 96, passed away at her home on Saturday, April 3, 2021 after a long and wonderful life.

Born on January 3, 1925 in Poughkeespie, NY, she was the daughter of the late Frederich G. and Mabel (Jennings) Tompkins.

On May 30, 1942 at the Hedding ME Church in Poughkeepsie, she married the love of her life, Donald T. Bartles. Mr. Bartles predeceased her in 2013.

Mrs. Bartles attended Poughkeespie Schools and relocated to the Town of Clinton to live with her husband’s family at Silver Lake where she became an active member of the Town of Clinton and the Town of Rhinebeck. In addition to being a bookkeeper for Battistoni Real Estate in Rhinebeck, Mrs. Bartles served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, a Brownie Leader, and was one of the founders of the Clinton Library.   She also served on the Rhinebeck School Board for over ten years as one of the first female members.

Mrs. Bartles loved to read, knit, and cook for her family and friends. She was well known for her knitting and many were gifted a “Grandma Bartles Sweater” when a new baby arrived. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and in her younger years would swim in the pool or hop in one of the boats to go blueberry picking along the lake when she wasn’t bird watching or teaching them how to play poker.

In addition, to her husband Don, she was predeceased by two brothers Frederick C. and David; and a sister Viola Allen as well as her daughter-in-law Eleni Bartles.

She is survived by her children, Donald T. Jr., and his wife Kathy of Pine Plains; William, and his wife Judy of Hampstead, NC; James of Clinton; Jeanne Stirzel of Clinton; Stephen, and his wife Peta of Clinton; 8 grandchildren, Ted (Angie) and Carl Bartles, Bill Jr. (Laura) Bartles and Barbara (Todd) Smith, Allison (Dominick) Sassone and Thomas (Alyeesa) Stirzel, Carra and Olivia (Anthony Snyder) Bartles; her sister Eleanor Funk; 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial hours will be held Friday April 9, 2021 from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, 51 W. Market St., Rhinebeck, NY.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.  

Due to Covid-19/NYS Guidelines – masks, social distancing and capacity limitations will be followed during all services.  During visitation, please be respectful to those who may be waiting to visit by keeping your visit brief.  Your cooperation is appreciated. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Silver Lake Property Owners Assoc, c/o Art DePasqua, 84 Deer Hill Rd. Rhinebeck, 12572, or a charity of choice.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.dapsonchestney.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gelletia (Tompkins) Bartles, please visit our floral store.