Virginia May (Bartkoski) Binder

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Virginia May (Bartkoski) Binder, 58, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away Dec. 15, 2010. She was born Feb. 3, 1952, to Joe and Betty Bartkoski in Nevada, Mo. Virginia was the third child born in a family of 15 children.

Virginia excelled in high school sports as well as academics and graduated from Alhambra High School in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1970. She met her husband, Craig, in 1967 in Phoenix and they were married in March 1971. She graduated from Respiratory Therapy School in 1971 and worked at Saint Joseph's hospital after graduation until the birth of her daughter, Donna, in November 1973. She welcomed the birth of her son Chris on her mother's birthday, Oct. 4, 1976.

The family moved to El Dorado Springs in August 1978. Virginia worked in the El Dorado Springs area at C&H Motel, the nursing home, Quality Products, and several other "odd jobs" around town. Virginia was mostly a giving person who thought of others. She had a great love for people and was fun to be around. She especially loved her grandchildren, Travis, Hayden, Jet and Mason. Virginia was a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Betty and one brother, Jeff.

Survivors include one daughter, Donna Marie Tofte and her husband, Eric, of Glendale, Ariz.; one son, Christopher Charles Binder and his wife, Jennifer, of Avondale, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Travis, Hayden and Jet Tofte and Mason Binder; two brothers, Tom Bartkoski and his wife, Linda, and Ed Bartkoski; 11 sisters, Pat Many and her husband Dale, Barbara Jessup and her husband Bill, Margaret Sherman and her husband Sevey, Beverly Schroeder and her husband Dave, Jodi Cauthon and her husband Dave, Rosemary Turner and her husband Larry, Eileen Gooden, Kathy Porter and her husband Melvin, Carolyn Crisp and her husband Dan, Becky Collins and her husband Kevin, and Betty Jo Convery; Virginia's friend Mark Blinzler; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and also her many friends and caregivers, including those at Residential Care and Northwood Hills.

Funeral services for Virginia Binder were held Saturday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m., at Bland-Hackleman Chapel with visitation on Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time. The Rev. Basil Doan officiated and music selections were: "I'll Fly Away," "I Can Only Imagine" and "Amazing Grace." Interment followed in Mt. Vernon Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Virginia's nephews.