Donald D. Bartels Sr.

Donald D. Bartels Sr., 87, Lakewood, passed away at Bellin Memorial Hospital on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. He was born on Aug. 17, 1926, to the late Martin and Sophie (Herm) Bartels. Don served in World War II in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. He married Ora Lea Kobs on June 14, 1947, and they moved to Lakewood in 1952 and purchased the Lakewood Cheese Factory. In 1958 they purchased the Brook Farm. It later became McCauslin Brook Golf and Country Club, which opened in 1965. Don was a real estate broker for many years and established Bartels Real Estate in 1973. Don served as the veteran service officer from 1964-1974. He was a County Board supervisor for many years, including time as board chairman. He was president of the McCaslin Lions Club, where he was a charter member. His hobbies include golf, bowling, playing cards and politics. He married Margot Wilhelm-Heikkinen on Nov. 24, 1994, in Melbourne, Fla. Don was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Townsend. Don is survived by his wife, Margot, of Lakewood; four children, Ted (Peggy) Bartels, of Lakewood, and their children Emma Lea (Brian) Connolly, Hilary (Al) Wysocki and Ted Jr. (special friend Sarah); Lynn Bartels, of Lakewood, and her children, Lisa (Chris) Faytle, Ericka (Kerry) Cromwell, Jenna Smallins, Aaron (Christa) Swanson and Rachael (fiance Jesse) Swanson; Donald Jr. (Gigi) Bartels, of Lakewood, and their child, Donald III; Rick (Cheryl) Bartels, of Lakewood, and their children, Marissa and Allison; his brother, Marlynn (Helen) Bartels, of Lakewood; Margot’s two children, Marcy LaVigne, of Hubbell, Mich., and her children Nicole, Kali and Brandon; and Tom Heikkinen, of Elko, Nev.; and 13 great-grandchildren. Don is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and Bartels family special friend, Mickey. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Lea Bartels, on Jan. 10, 1993; his brother, Douglas (Jewel) Bartels; his sister, June (Alvin) Wesenberg. Visitation will be held at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring on Thursday, March 6, 2014, from 4-8 p.m. Visitation continues on Friday at St. John Lutheran Church in Townsend from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Stephen Mueller officiating. Don will be interred in Lakewood Forest Cemetery. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in memory of Don. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.