Willa Bartuska

Willa Kathleen Ranallo Bartuska, 75, of Monahans, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2015 at her residence. She was born December 6, 1939 in Manhattan, New York to William Edward and Dorothy Eloise (Staples) Johnson.

She was married to Geramino Ranallo. They later divorced, and she married George Bartuska. She worked as a waitress for much of her life until she returned to school. She graduated from Sul Ross University in Alpine at the age of 50, majoring in art and education. After graduation, she became an elementary school teacher in San Angelo. She later taught in prisons in Fort Stockton and then Lamesa, and finished her teaching career at Monahans High School and Junior High, as both an art and special education teacher. She enjoyed art, cooking, good music, and was an avid reader. She touched a lot of lives teaching here in Monahans. She was loved and will be missed by all of her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, George Bartuska; son, Daniel Ranallo; daughter, Patricia Ann Picone; parents, William and Dorothy Johnson; and grandson, Matthew Mark Hamilton.

Willa is survived by her sons, Jerry Ranallo and William Ranallo; daughter, Irene Ranallo Hamilton; sister, Patricia Ann Johnson Rosenstiel; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2015 from 1 - 8 PM at Harkey Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 11 AM at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Beth Harrington officiating. Graveside services will begin at 3 PM at Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine. Chase Hight, Jerome Ranallo, Kevin Revell, Mario Cortez, Adam Chavez, and Patrick Jennings will serve as pallbearers.