David B. Bartlett

David B. Bartlett, 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 20, 2026 at Caribou. He was born in North Amherst, Massachusetts, July 28, 1932, the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Truesdale) Bartlett. He attended college at Houghton College, Houghton, NY, for a year before transferring to Providence Bible Institute in Providence, RI. There he received a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and went on to receive a master’s degree in Christian Education from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN. David was an ordained minister as well as a school teacher. He married Blanche L. Pike of Woodland, ME in June 1955, and she predeceased him September 28, 2020.

David and Blanche served as missionaries and teachers with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (T.E.A.M.) in Japan for many years. In Japan, David taught junior high history & civics at the Christian Academy in Japan, (CAJ) a school for missionary children, and was in charge of the audio/visual department. In later years he left CAJ to teach English & Bible classes to Japanese students & adults at the Ochanomizu Student Christian Center in downtown Tokyo. He was also active in Christian camping ministries both in the States & Japan. When David & Blanche retired, they chose to move back to Woodland, where Blanche had inherited her parent’s property, & where many of her family still resided. David was an active member of the Perham Baptist Church.

Throughout his life, David was an avid reader & in his retirement years loved a good mystery novel. Since he had traveled extensively, he enjoyed perusing maps, recalling his many trips & what the best roads were. When he was driving, he had an uncanny ability to always find where he needed to go, whether there were road signs or not! He amazed his family & friends in never getting lost! He also loved teaching and tried to be as creative & interesting as possible, turning dull subjects into fun learning experiences for his students. Many of his former students said he was their favorite junior high teacher, & recalled fun interactive lessons. He also had a great sense of humor & enjoyed good conversation.

He is survived by his children, Mary Beth Dupree of Winfield, IL, and Timothy David Bartlett and wife Michelle of Carol Stream, IL, one sister, Francis Gardella of Concord, MA, his beloved grandchildren, Elissa, Timothy, Charles, Rachel, Ellie, and Josiah, 6 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 1PM at the Perham Baptist Church, 681 Perham Road, Perham with Pastor David Goupille officiating. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Bartlett may do so through the Perham Baptist Church Missions Fund, 681 Perham Road, Perham, Maine 04766.

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