Dale Bartels
Dale Bartels, 71, left this world peacefully, despite his best efforts, at 1:28am on August 22, 2019 surrounded by his family who loves him so very much.
He is missed dearly by his wife, Marti (nee Cunningham), daughters Jenifer (Ivan) & Amelia (Johnny) Garcia, four sweet grandchildren, Dale, Isla, Herbi & Brooks, step-mother Ann Bartels of Jerseyville, IL, brothers Rick (Jody) of Pierre, South Dakota, Brad, Tim (Beth) Bartels of Jerseyville, IL, Lennie Schmidt of O’Fallon, IL & sisters Deana (Steve) Bowen of Hartselle, AL & Linda (Charlie) Tedrick of Hamel, IL, brother-in-law Mark (Sharon) Cunningham of Warrenton, MO plus many dear nieces & nephews.
Born in Granite City, IL on November 25, 1947 to Betty Jean (Huebner) & Delbert Dale Bartels, both passed on, he graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1965, SIUE (biology) in 1969 & was draft #39 in the Vietnam War where he completed basic training at Ft Leonard Wood & was a conscientious objector. He married Martha on 12/4/71 & she stuck by his side, in good times & bad, to his dying day, giving their daughters the lifelong gift of a stable, happy & love-filled home.
Ordained at Eden Seminary in 1975, he was a United Church of Christ minister for forty years & served congregations in Holstein, MO, Nashville, IL, Decatur, IL & Chesterfield, MO & made so many good friends. His unrelenting message all these years has been love & acceptance of all (no exceptions); even when the message was not well received.
Radiating hospitality & genuine warmth, he never met a stranger & plied food & drink (namely Stag & gin & tonics) on his guests, whether they wanted them or not. He loved serving on the volunteer fire departments in Treloar, MO & Nashville, IL. He loved camping in the Florida Keys. He loved bluegrass (especially Saturday mornings on KDHX) & playing the banjo. He loved raising cows & goats. He loved walks in the woods & canoeing the Current & Black Rivers with his friends. He loved observing the night sky. He loved doting on his grand dogs. But most of all, he loved his family & they loved him back.
In lieu of flowers, it would make him so happy for donations to be made to Isaiah 58 Ministries or to commit a random act of kindness of your choice.
Visitation at The Christy (5856 Christy, St Louis, MO 63116) on Wednesday 8/28/19 starting at 2pm with a celebration of life service at 6:30pm.
Dale was such a sweet man, with a kind heart. He always had a smile when picking up his grandkids from school. He will be missed. ♡
I loved seeing Dale’s sweet, proud smile every time he picked the grandkids up from school. His kindness shines through the family, all the way to his grandchildren. Sending prayers for strength and comfort to his family.