Antonio Thomas Bartlett

Antonio Thomas Bartlett

Antonio Thomas Bartlett was born on April 9, 2010, in Omaha, NE. He found his mother, Melanie, a few months later at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. Melanie fostered sweet Antonio for fifteen months until formally adopting him on December 20, 2011. He was her perfect Christmas gift.

Antonio was love in the flesh and gave to all who would receive. Among those blessed to love him was his sister, Brooklynn. Antonio and Brooklynn adored each other. She involved him in everything she did and gave him the beloved nickname, “Bubby.” Antonio’s face would light up at the sound of Brooklynn’s voice. She was his protector, once scolding Melanie for allowing him to watch The Land Before Time as it showed a fire, too scary for her Bubby. Once Brooklynn had the opportunity to hold her brother, she would often refuse to give him back. Brooklynn read to Antonio, helped him with art projects and became lovingly involved in his care as his health declined. No brother is more reverenced.

Antonio captured the hearts of nurses, therapists and doctors his whole life. Along with his crooked smile, chubby cheeks, curly hair and eyelashes for days, no one could ignore his sweet spirit. They would often linger with Antonio to rub his sweet head and hold his hand. It took a medical village to care for this boy, and his mother ensured he only had the best.

Antonio was able to experience a lot of life in his almost twelve years. Among those experiences were swimming in the ocean and putting his sweet feet in the Florida sand, rolling through the mountains of Colorado, listening to the waterfalls of Utah, feeding giraffes at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and reaching into the water to receive high fives from the stingrays at Henry Doorly. He is known for his epic birthday parties, and his passing brought tears to the eyes of the bakers of his famous cakes. Antonio had a quiet strength, and he worked so hard for the smallest of movements. He was a miracle boy and taught us so many lessons without ever saying a word.

Few have experienced a bond like the one between Antonio and his mother. Melanie knew Antonio was heaven-sent to her the second she saw him. She was the fiercest advocate and strongest voice for her boy. She spent countless hours reading and singing to him during his daily treatments. He was never more at home than when he was in her arms. For the last 24 hours of his life, Melanie held Antonio, and it was from her arms that he left this earthly life on March 30, 2022. How empty those arms are now.

Antonio was preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas E. Bartlett, II; sisters, Nevaeh and Mariah. Antonio is survived by his mother, Melanie Bartlett; grandmother, Leslee Bartlett; sister, Brooklynn; aunts: Tera, Emily, Michelle and Anne; uncles: Tommy, Jason, Mike and Craig; grandma, Deena Candler; great grandmother, Berta Perkins, and many other aunts, uncles and precious cousins.

Visitation: Thursday, April 7, 2020, from 5:00-8:00PM at West Center Chapel,

Funeral Service: Friday, April 8, 2022, 11:00AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11027 Martha Street, Omaha, Nebraska.

Antonio will be interred next to his Grandpa at Westlawn Hillcrest Memorial Park in Omaha.

To view a live broadcast of the service, please go to heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the he page.