Dale Bartels

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) and Amelia (Johnny) Garcia, four sweet grandchildren, Dale, Isla, Herbi and 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 and sisters Deana (Steve) Bowen of Hartselle, AL and Linda (Charlie) Tedrick of Hamel, IL, brother-in-law Mark (Sharon) Cunningham of Warrenton, MO plus many dear nieces and nephews.

Born in Granite City, IL on November 25, 1947 to Betty Jean (Huebner) and Delbert Dale Bartels, both passed on, he graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1965, SIUE (biology) in 1969 and was draft #39 in the Vietnam War where he completed basic training at Ft Leonard Wood and was a conscientious objector. He married Martha on 12/4/71 and she stuck by his side, in good times and bad, to his dying day, giving their daughters the lifelong gift of a stable, happy and love-filled home. Ordained at Eden Seminary in 1975, he was a United Church of Christ minister for forty years and served congregations in Holstein, MO, Nashville, IL, Decatur, IL and Chesterfield, MO and made so many good friends.

His unrelenting message all these years has been love and acceptance of all (no exceptions); even when the message was not well received.  Radiating hospitality and genuine warmth, he never met a stranger and plied food and drink (namely Stag and gin and tonics) on his guests, whether they wanted them or not. He loved serving on the volunteer fire departments in Treloar, MO and Nashville, IL. He loved camping in the Florida Keys.

He loved bluegrass (especially Saturday mornings on KDHX) and playing the banjo. He loved raising cows and goats. He loved walks in the woods and canoeing the Current and 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 and 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.

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