After a short battle with cancer, Steven Paul Bartel of Greer, South Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the age of 58.
A celebration of life service was held on Saturday, July 13, at his home church in Taylors, South Carolina.
He was born on May 3, 1966, in Lakewood, California, to Dorothy Ann Nuss Bartel of East Peoria, Illinois, and the late Ronald John Bartel. Steve spent his early years in California. The family moved to Peoria, IL, in 1973, where he attended Metamora Township High School, played football, participated in Student Council and was a member of Future Farmers of America. Steve began his sales career at Dixon’s Fisheries while attending I.C.C. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1988 with a degree in business and marketing. He began his career at Emery Worldwide and ended his career as Regional General Manager for UPS Air Freight Division.
Steve and his wife, Diane, were married in 1990 and enjoyed 34 wonderful years of marriage. She survives, along with four children, Tyler Bartel of Miami, Florida, Rebecca B. Carter (Andrew) of Greer, South Carolina, Ryan Bartel (Steph) of Bowling Green, Ohio, and Luke Bartel of Greer, South Carolina. He also leaves behind one brother, Scott Bartel (Colleen) of Indianapolis, Indiana; one sister, Rhonda Anderson (Dave) of Germantown Hills, Illinois; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Steve recognized the importance of reading the Bible and memorizing Scripture. He regularly prayed for his family and friends. He was a beloved member of North Hills Church in Taylors, South Carolina. Steve and Diane led a Life Group for many years, as well as led a premarital class for engaged couples. He impacted countless lives at work and church and was greatly loved by all who met him.
Steve did not know a stranger. His warm personality, sense of humor and crazy antics put friends and strangers alike at ease. A jokester through and through (a Bartel family trait), Steve was known for inviting folks to gather around their pool and witness him demonstrate his “Elite Navy Seal Dive” for the watching crowd. After all had gathered around expecting a silent, splashless dive, he instead cannonballed into the pool and soaked his audience.
Steve loved the Lord, his family, Kansas State Football, anything John Deere and teasing Clemson fans. Making memories with his kids, nieces, and nephews was especially important to him. Steve was especially fond of a tradition started years ago where he and his father, brother and nephews went to watch the Kansas State Wildcats play football together. Many new traditions were born and memories made on those trips.
We will miss the twinkle in his eye, his warm smile and the phone calls informing us of the latest prank he had pulled on a co-worker or neighbor. Most of all, though, we will miss the spark of life he added to our family.
He leaves a gaping hole in all of our hearts, and we grieve, but not without hope. We know that someday we will be reunited with him for all eternity (I Thessalonians 4:13-14).
Posted online on July 26, 2024
Published in Peoria Journal Star
