John Bartelt

JOHN A. BARTELT, Age 94 of Delnor Glen, St. Charles, formerly of Geneva, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday morning, August 9, 2005. Although his health had become more confining, John’s spirits were good (except when the Sox lost!) Still, he deeply missed his beloved Edie. Sometime Tuesday morning, the Lord answered John’s patient prayers and his spirit went "home" to be with Edie. BORN: He was born January 29, 1911 on the family farm on Bartelt Road in Blackberry Twp. As a boy he attended Geneva Schools and grew up to serve the school board for many years. A farmer from his youth, John took over the family homestead at Restmore Farm where he raised pigs, beef and, chickens. At one point, he boasted over three thousand chickens and supplied many area families, restaurants, and bars with eggs. Three generations of Bartelt’s still tell their children stories about delivering eggs every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. MARRIAGE On June 17, 1931, he was united in marriage to Edith Johnsen. John recalled when he was courting, his father would give him a dollar that John stretched to cover a movie, pop and a bar-b-que for both of them! It was a lesson in frugality that neither of them would forget. John and Edie made their home on the Pratt Farm on Harley road for a time, before moving to the Bartelt homestead.LIFE NOTES In later years, they enjoyed many Saturday nights with friends at the LaFox Farmers Club. John loved to play Cribbage and cards and was especially fond of baseball. When the kids were young, he coached and umpired and was a player himself on the Geneva "South Siders" team. Known for his strength John could lift a tractor or a Model "T" and his handshake could reduce other men to their knees. But his stern countenance and commanding voice were often betrayed by the twinkle in his eye and the soft-spot in his heart. His granddaughters all adored him as did their friends and it could sometimes be hard to tell who was "charming" whom!SURVIVORS He is survived by four children, 15 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, 8great great grandchildren.John Bartelt III of Polo, ILRichard (Sharon) Bartelt of Hinckley, ILJayne & Jim Gilligan of Laona, WI andJudy (Robert) Connor of Woodstock, ILFourteen grandchildrenRonald Bartelt also of Polo and his children:Scott (Lynn) Bartelt of Goshen, KYSteven Bartelt of Polo, ILJeffrey (Holly) Bartelt of Stockton, ILSusan (Kurt) Cavanaugh of St. Charles, ILPatricia Meyer of Polo, ILCheryl Barteltof Hinckley, ILJulie (Daniel) O’Brien of Geneva, ILAmy (Michael) Pedone of Batavia, ILPamella (John) Warden of Lakewood, WIKary (David) Bradle of Laona, WIJoDee Dufek of Greenbay, WIJoan (Richard) Peralez of South Sioux City, NEJim (Jessica) Gilligan of DePere, WISean Connor of Woodstock, ILThirty-two great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.PRECEDED He joins now his wife, Edieone brother, Spenser, one grandson, James John Gilliganone grandson-in-law, Robert Dufek andone great granddaughter, Angela Dufek. who preceded him in death .

VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be held from 4-8pm Friday, August 12, 2005 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Funeral services will follow Saturday morning, August 13, at 10am at the Geneva United Methodist Church where John was a long time member. Rev. Jenny Weber will officiate

\\MEMORIAL A memorial has been established to benefit the Geneva United Methodist Church and the American Heart Society. Checks may be made to the John A. Bartelt memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family through the same P.O. Box or through the obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information call 1-800-8-CONLEY.