Polo Marine told his mom not to worry
The last time Jeannie Kyker, Polo, saw her son he was getting on a bus bound for a deployment to Afghanistan.
His final words to her that day last February were, "Don't worry, Mom."
Marine Staff Sergeant Justus Bartelt, 27, was laid to rest with full military honors July 25 at Fairmount Cemetery, just outside the town he grew up in.
He died July 16 “as a result of a hostile incident while supporting combat operations in Helmand province” in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said. He was on his third deployment – the first two were to Iraq.
An estimated 1,500 people turned out for Bartelt's funeral, which was held in at Polo Community High School, where he graduated in the Class of 2001.
Gov. Pat Quinn was one of those who came to pay their respects. Quinn attended the Saturday afternoon visitation, also held at the high school.
State Sen. Tim Bivins (R-Dixon) and State Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) were among those present at his funeral.
Bartelt's family and friends expressed their pride in him at a press conference held July 23 in the high school gym.
"I am proud that he died in combat protecting your and my freedom and future generation's freedom," Kyker said. "I am most proud that he chose to serve his country."
She said her only son had wanted to be a Marine from the time he was a youngster.
"That's all he wanted to do since her was 12," she said. "He loved his country, he loved his family. He died for both."
Bartelt's cousin David Bartelt, 26, said the two of them were inseparable growing up.
"He was probably more of a brother than a cousin," David said.
From the time they were 10 and 11, he said, they spent every day together riding bikes, climbing trees, and having fun.
They also decided they both wanted to be Marines.
Justus enlisted during his senior year of high school, but David, a year younger, had to wait a year.
"We would have gone in together if we could have," David said.
Kyker said she learned of her son's death late in the afternoon on July 16. Family, friends, and neighbors rallied to her side within an hour.
"This is a fabulous community. In times of tribulation a small community rallies," Kyker said. "They feel your loss."
That support, along with her faith, will help her through the days to come, she said.
"I'm drawing strength from my faith in God, my family and friends and the community," Kyker said.
A honor guard of area fire departments and Polo residents lined the streets July 23 as the vehicle carrying Bartelt's casket came into Polo on Ill. 26 and made its way to the Polo Family Funeral Home.
He was escorted home by his cousin and fellow Marine Jennifer Bartelt Van Oosten, and his father, Steven Bartelt.
Bartelt was a platoon sergeant assigned to the 2nd Regimental Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune.
He entered the Marine Corps in June 2001 and was promoted to staff sergeant on Jan. 1 of this year.
