Ike Bartkowiak, age 70, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away suddenly after a brief illness on February 4, 2016 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.
Ike was born on March 10, 1945 in Marlin, Texas, becoming a Port Arthur native in 1970.
A man of simplicity and grace, “Paw-Paw” Ike was the most genuine of men; uncomplicated in thought, generous to a fault, possessing a quiet strength and stoic love that endeared him to everyone that knew him. As a devoted Catholic, he worshipped through his sacrifice to others, through his garden, through his church, through his children and grandchildren, through his unselfishness to family and strangers alike. He was known as a man of his word, a man who could fix anything, and a man you could count on.  As career machinist, he had been pivotal in the success of many Southeast Texas refineries, and had given back to the community that he loved through service as an associate member of the Golden Triangle Republican Women and as an associate patron of the Texas Federation of Republican Women.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Janice Cheryl Bartkowiak of Port Arthur, Texas. Ike was a devoted parent to 4 children, Christopher Sperry and his wife Dacquiri of Friendswood, Texas, Amy Porner and her husband Edward of Williamsburg, Virginia, Ronnie Vernon Overman Jr. of San Francisco, California, Sonja Renee’ Powell and her husband Robert of Conroe, Texas. He was Paw Paw to Caleb Christopher Sperry, Brynli Elizabeth Sperry, Clayton Edward Porner, Alexandra Elizabeth Porner, and Annabelle Hope Porner. Ike will be greatly missed by his extended family members, friends, and coworkers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas. A visitation and rosary will be held for family and friends starting at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the funeral home.