Name: Ronald J. Bartel Date: October 20th, 1939 - October 17th, 2009 Obituary: Germantown Hills- Ronald J. Bartel, 69, died at 3:35 AM on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at his residence. He was born in Sterling, KS on October 20, 1939 to John G. and Marie (Rankin) Bartel. He married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Nuss on August 24, 1958 in Albert, KS. He is survived by the love of his life Dorothy and his three children and eight grandchildren, Scott (Colleen) Bartel and their three children Blythe, Ethan, and Seth of Indianapolis, Rhonda (Dave) Anderson and their son Paul of Metamora, and Steve (Diane) Bartel and their children Tyler, Rebecca, Ryan and Luke of Greer, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard of Kansas City and sister Rosalyn Miller of Augusta, KS. Ron was raised on a farm in rural Kansas and graduated from Otis Rural High School in 1957. He played basketball for Pratt Junior College and participated in the 1959 National Junior College Basketball Tournament where they placed 7th in the nation. He started his sales career while attending Kansas State University where he earned his Bachelor of Business in 1963. Upon graduation he joined Caterpillar, Inc. and spent 40 years in truck engine sales and marketing until his retirement in February of 2002. As a dedicated member of Grace Presbyterian Church his first love was meeting and greeting people. He also served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and VBS worker. Ron loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart. His passions were his grandchildren, the Metamora Redbirds and the Kansas State Univ. Wildcats. Ron’s family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and memories shared on their caring bridge website at www.CaringBridge.org/visit/ronbartel. A service to celebrate Ronald’s life will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria with visitation from 9:30-10 AM. Reverend Bob Donaldson will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora. Additional visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, October 20 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Memorials may be made to the Grace Presbyterian Church Building Fund or to Peoria Area Youth for Christ. Memorials: Grace Presbyterian Church Building Fund or Peoria Youth for Christ Visitations: 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory - Washington (map/driving directions) Services: In-state at 9:30AM, Service at 10:00AM at Grace Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery Metamora, IL 61548 (map/driving directions)