Evan N. Bartley, age 14, of Mentor, passed away August 10, 2017, after a lifetime of bravely battling Dravet Syndrome – a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy. Evan was born July 18, 2003 in Willoughby.
Evan possessed unbelievable strength and perseverance despite suffering from daily debilitating seizures. He set an important example for how others should live their lives: He never let obstacles get the better of him and he never gave up. He was able to find joy in life, no matter how rough things got. Evan was quick to forgive and never held a grudge. He enjoyed giving hugs to everyone, whether he knew you or not. He never hesitated to say, “I love you.” Everyone who got to know Evan quickly got to love Evan.
Evan loved spending time with his family as well as with his “boys and girls” in the MD Unit at Memorial Middle School, watching PBS Kids programming and Wheel of Fortune, and listening to music. If you sang the ABC song for him, you would rapidly become his best friend. His greatest love was elevators, and he could frequently be spotted riding all the elevators at the mall.
He is survived by his parents, Nancy Bartley (nee Waldhelm) of Mentor and Eric Bartley of Chardon; stepmother Jodi Bartley; step-siblings Michael, Eric and Kaelyn Cardina; grandparents, Gary and Louise Waldhelm of Wickliffe, Diana Bartley and George Bartley II of Ashland; uncle Marty Waldhelm of Willoughby, aunt Amy Leidigh (Adrian) of Ashland, and uncle George Bartley III (Lacy) of Ashland; great aunt and uncle Janice and Bill Bendfeldt of Wickliffe; along with many beloved great aunts and uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Evan’s honor can be made to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation to fund needed research (www.dravetfoundation.org) or to your local PBS station.
Arrangements entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby.
