Robert J. Bartel

Robert J. “Bob” Bartel, 96, of Rock Island, IL, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018, at Friendship Manor in Rock Island. Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9th, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 10th, at 9:30 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1608 – 13th Street, Moline. Memorials may be made in memory of Robert J. Bartel #16261685 to benefit the Makenna Rose Bartel-Heaney Award (09684) at University of Kansas, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044, or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moline. Bob was born in Sterling, IL, on August 5, 1921, son of Joseph and Ethal (Logsdon) Bartel. He graduated from the Sterling schools and attended University of Illinois. On November 28, 1946, at Sacred Heart Church in Moline, he married Dawn Sheridan, who survives. He was employed by Sears Roebuck Company, and in 1956, Bob, his brother, Don, and two local businessmen, purchased a farm in Cordova, IL. This venture became the Cordova Dragstrip. A great story, written by Bret Kepner, can be found at www.competitionplus.com. Enter “Bob Bartel passes” in the search bar. Bob retired in 1986. Bob was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Moline, a past member of the Antique Car Club, and the Over The Hill Coffee Group. He loved all auto racing. In addition to Dawn, his wife of over 71 years, survivors include daughters, Pam (Bob) Bartel Green of Erie, IL, and Mary (Bob) Holcomb of Leawood, KS; son, Dave (Cindy) Bartel of Leawood, KS; son-in-law, Jerry Gunnerson of El Paso, IL; grandchildren, Devon Bartel, Seth Gunnerson, Ellie Holcomb, and Maddie Holcomb. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Vicki Gunnerson, his granddaughter, Makenna Rose Bartel-Heaney, his brother, Don Bartel, and his sisters, Ann Kane, Jane Kanatzar, and Patsy Bartel.

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