Donald Bartman, 85, food exec and veteran

Donald S. Bartman, 85, of Bala Cynwyd, a retired food company executive and a decorated World War II veteran, died of heart failure, Thursday, March 31, at home.

Mr. Bartman joined the Army when he turned 18 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division.

He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for an encounter during the Battle of the Bulge. He voluntarily ran to an exposed position to provide covering fire while his company advanced. A private at the time, Bartman was seriously wounded. According to his Bronze Star citation, he refused to take cover and continued firing.

Mr. Bartman graduated from the Hill School in Pottstown. After his military discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Ursinus College.

He spent his career with Hormel & Co. in Albany, N.Y., and then as regional manager in Philadelphia from 1960 until retiring in 1987.

Mr. Bartman was past president of the Food Executives of Philadelphia, the Manufacturers' Representatives of Philadelphia, and the Activators, a food executive's club.

He served on the board of the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd and was active with the Bala Cynwyd Lions Club. He was a longtime member of the Cynwyd Club.

In an interview in Food Trade News, Mr. Bartman said he listed his hobbies as, "casual golf, intensive gardening, mediocre tennis, skiing and the occasional drink."

Mr. Bartman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Yvonne Mandell Bartman; daughters Nancy Turner, Sydney Stevenson, Elizabeth, and Lori; two sisters; and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be at 4 p.m., Friday, April 8, at St. Asaph's Episcopal Church, 27 Conshohocken State Rd., Bala Cynwyd, where Mr. Bartman was a past member of the vestry.

Donations may be made to Ursinus College, Advancement Office, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, Pa. 19426.