He was baptized at Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church on May 22, 1932 and was confirmed there, years later, on Palm Sunday in 1946. His confirmation verse was Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.” After 8th grade graduation at Cross Ron, his brother Ken, and their parents moved to Santa Ana, CA. The family attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Ana where Ron was active in many activities such as Walther League and choirs.
Ron graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1950 where he met Margaret Patrick. He also spent many hours working at a chicken ranch, across the street from the family home, to earn money for his first car. After two years at Santa Ana College, earning an associates’ degree, he married Margaret on September 23, 1952, officiated by Pastor William Duerr of Trinity. The draft board ended his schooling. He entered the US Army and was trained as a military policeman. Ron was sent to Heidelberg with the 529th MP Battalion. Daughter Sue arrived in time to obtain passage with Margaret on the Queen Mary, bound for France, and join Ron in Heidelberg. He was discharged from regular duty in November 1954 and returned with his family to Santa Ana. Sharon was then born. He went to work briefly for the Automobile Club of Southern California and bought the first family home in the city of Orange in 1956. Daughter Sandra and son Mark were born while living there. He became a Drivers’ License Examiner for DMV. In 1963 he received a promotion into management and was assigned to various field offices throughout his career with DMV; Hollywood, Fullerton, Palm Springs, Santa Maria, Oceanside, Santa Monica, Santa Ana, and back to Oceanside. After 27 years (some of it commuting) it was time to retire. He then went to work for Vanguard Industries for 10 years.
Ron was active for years in the churches where he was a member; church choirs, as an usher and elder, participated in and taught Bethel bible classes. He was a member of Trinity (Santa Ana), St. John’s (Orange), Our Savior (Palm Springs), Grace (Santa Maria), and Faith (Vista). At Faith Lutheran he served in the Bus Ministry Program and sat on the board for Faith Gardens Village, an assisted living facility in the community.
Ron took the family tent camping every summer and, later, in a travel trailer with Margaret. Ron and Margaret enjoyed travel when they could, but the priority was family events; birthdays, confirmations, baptisms, weddings, and graduations. He enjoyed games with the family and was a fierce competitor. Ron had a keen interest in cars and always had a story to tell about one of his cars.
Ron is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Margaret, his brother, Kenneth Bartelt (Mary), daughter Sue Miller (Kenneth), daughter Sharon Alldredge (Robert), daughter Sandi Garcia, son Mark Bartelt (Kate), as well as grandchildren Ryan Alldredge, Michael Bartelt (Sarah), Travis Burns (Neya), Jennifer Coverdale (Mark), Emily Froelich (Jason), Carmen Keeshan (Matt), and Marcella Lezotte (Rob); great grandchildren Shayna, Alexa, McKayla, Tanner, Kai, Beck, and Kyrie (born 2 days before he was called to eternal rest).
A Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 28 at 11:00 am - 700 E Bobier Drive Vista CA 92084.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorial.com for the Bartelt family.
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