Kenneth Bartley, age 73, of Tompkinsville, KY, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, at Medical Center of Bowling Green, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship, exquisite talent, and dedication.
Born on January 28, 1953, in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of Ervin Kenneth and Lovie Bartley.
Kenneth lived a life marked by hard work, creativity, and a deep appreciation for building things with his hands. Kenneth spent many years working at Belden Cooper Industries, where he eventually retired after a faithful career. Known for his strong work ethic and reliability, he earned the respect of coworkers and friends alike.
Outside of his profession, Kenneth’s true passion was woodworking. A lifelong artisan, he found joy in designing and handcrafting custom stringed instruments. His craftsmanship could make the raw materials of wood and string become beautiful instruments. Though he never played the instrument himself, he skillfully built harps with care and perfection.
Kenneth will be remembered for his extraordinary strength, his creativity, and the way he could turn simple materials into something meaningful and lasting. His legacy lives on in the pieces he created and in the memories shared by those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his children: Amy Shirley of Glasgow, Shelby Burgess (Jesse) of Tompkinsville, and Alex Bartley (Makensey) of Tompkinsville; his sister, Kimberly Bartley; his companion, Sheila Long; and his grandchildren, Sheonna Bartley, Kierra Elizalde, Hadley Jane Burgess, Nolan Burgess, and Rory Bartley; and two great grandchildren, Ellianna Elizalde, and Beckham Elizalde.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin Kenneth Bartley and Lovie Bartley, his wife, Janetta Riddle Bartley, as well as his siblings, Barbara Webb and Michael Bartley.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Yokley Trible Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Monroe County Memorial Lawn.
Visitation is Friday 4-8p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. at Yokley Trible Funeral Home.
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