A beloved husband, father, coach, and mentor, Mike Bartik, passed away on February 7, 2025, battling cancer. He was married to Kimbi Berlin Bartik, his wife of almost five decades, until his last breath.
Mike had been battling cancer for the last 5 years. However, most recently, his glioblastoma had come back in full force.
His daughter, Kelli, penned an emotional update regarding his health with a sense of urgency due to the return of his glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. She wrote:
It absolutely crushes me to type this, but many of you have reached out asking for an update on my dad, Mike Bartik…
Unfortunately, the glioblastoma is back in full force and has rapidly taken a brutal toll on his body.
Kelli Bartik
Mike Bartik was an All-American athlete at Furman University, where he showcased his promising talent and dedication to sports.
Later, Bartik went on to play for the Philadelphia Bell and Birmingham Vulcans. However, it was his over 40 years of coaching that truly defined his legacy.
All thanks to Bartik’s guidance and mentorship, which shaped the lives of numerous athletes and fellow coaches.
The Bartik family, friends, and the community will celebrate Mike’s life on February 16, 2025, at The Solid Rock of Atlanta Church.
The Married Couple of 48 Years, Mike Bartik and Kimbi Berlin Bartik, Tied the Knot in 1976!
Mike Bartik and Kimbi Berlin Bartik were married for almost five decades. The longtime couple walked down the aisle on August 1, 1976.
Kimbi stood beside Mike Bartik until his last breath. Despite being married for a prolonged period of time, she remained vocal about her love for him.
To keep the spark alive in their long-term marriage, Kimbi would occasionally share appreciation posts for Mike, especially on special occasions like his birthday, their wedding anniversary, and other significant moments.
Kimbi shared a heartfelt post on Facebook to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary, saying, “Happy anniversary! 46 years ❤️💖🥰“
Likewise, on June 21, 2022, she shared a picture of themselves on Bartik’s birthday in 2022.
They went on several vacations, spending quality time away from their monotonous lives. Mike Bartik, Kimbi, and their family visited Tybee Island in August 2020.
Kimbi shared photos from their trip on Facebook, captioning them with, “Enjoyed a fantastic long weekend with the family at Tybee Island! Grateful for the time we spent together.“
In May 2020, Kimbi posted on Facebook about a positive health update for Mike Bartik. She wrote, “Mike had an MRI today at UAB! No growth of the tumor and the swelling continues to decrease.“
Given the caption, it appears Mike Bartik had been diagnosed with a tumor before 2020.
Kimbi has a strong bond with her father. Occasionally, she shared updates about her father on her social media platform. Her father served in WW2 in the Philippines.
She penned a celebratory tribute to her father, expressing deep gratitude for his service during World War II:
My HERO! My Dad! Thank you Dad for serving in WW2 in the Philippines !
Kimbi Berlin Bartik
Dad is now 97 1/2. We moved him to assisted living at Thanksgiving after a fall. He loves talking to everyone and makes them 😊 !!
Kimbi Berlin Bartik, the Wife of Mike Bartik, Boasts a Thriving Career as an Executive Senior Sales Director!
Kimbi Berlin Bartik is an executive senior sales director at Mary Kay Inc., a renowned global skincare company that provides various skincare products.
With over a decade of experience in this role, Kimbi’s enthusiasm for her work is evident in her social media presence.
She never misses a chance to promote Mary Kay products, from celebrating the company’s magazine appearances to announcing new product launches and more.
In 2019, Kimbi shared a photo of Mary Kay’s sunscreen alongside an image of Helen Parr, the fictional character from The Incredibles known as Elastigirl or Mrs. Incredible, who is always seen wearing a mask.
The photo read, “Incredible moms wear masks.” This clever metaphor suggests that just like Helen Parr wears a black mask, it’s essential for everyone to wear sunscreen, which acts as a protective mask for the skin.
In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, Kimbi expressed her gratitude in a Facebook post when government officials contacted her company, Mary Kay, to produce hand sanitizers.
Mike Bartik and Kimbi Berlin Bartik Raised Three Children!
The late coach Mike Bartik and Kimbi Bartik shared three children: two daughters, Kelli Bartik and Kati Bartik Pope, and a son, Bo Bartik.
Their son, Bo Bartik, married Gerlania Rocha on September 29, 2021. They have two sons, Breece Michael Bartik and Mikey Bartik.
Their first son, Breece Michael Bartik, was born in September 2022. Whereas the couple welcomed their second son, Mikey, in May 2024.
Mike Bartik and Kimbi’s daughter, Kati Bartik Pope, have also married. She tied the knot in September 2024.
Whereas their daughter, Kelli Bartik, is a sports anchor at WCCB Charlotte’s CW. She studied Communication at Gardner-Webb University.
After Mike Bartik’s passing, his son Bo Bartik penned a lengthy eulogy on his Facebook, writing about how several ex-players and coaches reached out to him and how much he touched their lives.
Over the last 5 years with cancer you never complained and Gods love radiated from your spirit more than ever. The sweet “I love you’s” towards the end I hang onto dearly . You always had rest knowing that the Joy of the Lord is your strength and bc of that I know you are with Christ and just waiting for the day to see us all again.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mike Bartik is survived by his brothers, Pat Bartik and Tom Bartik.
