Gene Bartels

Gene F. Bartels, age 73, of Millersville passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at his home.

He was born June 24, 1932, in Whitewater, son of A. D. and Ola Crump Bartels. He and Olida Lange were married March 14, 1954, in Tilsit.

Gene went to Stroderville Grade School, and attended Delta High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1949 and was honorably discharged in 1953 as a corporal.

He worked for the Cape Girardeau County Highway Department and the Missouri State Highway Department, retiring from Ceramo Company in July 1994.

While working in Jackson, Gene farmed and raised livestock on his farm.

He has been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson since 1962, and was a special collector for worship services. He was also a member of American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife of 51 years; three sons, Randy Bartels and wife, Sabrina of Millersville, Kevin Bartels of Perryville, Mo., Jimmy Bartels and wife, Letha of Millersville; a daughter, Pamela Fechner and husband, Bob of Hemet, Calif.; his mother, Ola Bartels of Whitewater; a brother, Glen Bartels of Whitewater; three grandchildren, Ashley and Chelsea Bartels, and Kristen Fechner; three stepgrandchildren, and three great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father; a sister, Janet Tolbert in 2003; and a grandson, Robby Fechner in 2005.

Friends may call Monday between 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. An American Legion Service will be held at 7.

The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Robert Henrichs officiating.

Interment will follow in Crump Cemetery near Crump.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or School.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.