John W Bartels

John William Bartels, age 92, of Freedom, passed away on January 10, 2026. He was born on September 15, 1933, in Kaukauna. He married Flora Farrell in 1958 and together they had 8 children: Barb (Marty) Killick, Sue (Bill) Mullarkey, Carol (Bruce) Wunderlich, Steve (Mary) Bartels, Joan (Randy) Mader, Mary (Paul) Hildebrand, Sally (Dan) Behnke and Jim (Kelly) Bartels. John and Flora were also blessed to have 23 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

John served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He was a member of the Freedom VFW and worked at Thilmany’s Pulp and Paper for 52 years. He was dedicated along with his wife raising their family and making them top priority. John also enjoyed his children’s/grandchildren’s sporting events.

John is survived by his children and grandchildren; Flora’s sister, Darlene Wagner; Flora’s brothers and their wives: Anthony (Phyllis), Pat (Patsy), Tom (Gloria), Bill (Janice), Mark (Carol), Mike and Ray (Brenda) Farrell.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Flora; parents, William and Ruth (Kessler) Bartels; sister, Ruby Bartels; brothers and their wives: Norman, Robert (Ester) and Donald (Shirley) Bartels; Flora’s parents, Peter and Helen (Ver Heyen) Farrell; and brother-in-law, Dennis Wagner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Full military honors will be performed by the Freedom VFW. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

A special “thank you” to our family and the Asera Care hospice team for the wonderful care our father received.