Bobby Joe Bartels, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011, at his home.

He was born April 19, 1939, in Cape Girardeau, to William August and Minnie Belle Mungle Bartels. He and LaWanda D. Allen were married in June 1964 at Jackson.

Bobby was a carpenter and worked for Griffaw Furniture and Columbia Construction (furniture factory). He never met a stranger, was good-hearted, kind and loved to talk. He liked to do projects around the house.

Survivors include his wife, LaWanda; a stepson, Ronnie Peters of St. Louis; five brothers, Earl Bartels of Cape Girardeau, Ray Underwood of Oak Ridge, Lee Underwood of Searcy, Ark., Dale and Elvis Underwood of Cape Girardeau; five sisters, Alice Rendleman of Cape Girardeau, Lillie Lafferty of St. Peters, Mo., Verna Cordia of Oak Ridge, Wanda Leimer of Cape Girardeau, Judy Crader of Jackson; three grandchildren; and lots of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Daniel Hale officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Ford and Sons Funeral Home to be applied toward funeral costs.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.