Wes Bartels Sr.

Wesley H. Bartels Sr., 68, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, at his home.

He was born Dec. 30, 1948, in Cape Girardeau to Linus W. and Inez Huston Bartels. He and Brenda Livers were married Jan. 20, 1968, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. Four children were born to their union.

Wes was a 1966 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School, and he attended Southeast Missouri State University.

In August 1968, Wes entered the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970. In conjunction with his military service, he bridged into employment with Procter & Gamble, where he worked 21 years.

In 1992, he established the former Jackson Bait & Tackle on Main Street in Jackson. In 1994, he built a new shop at the intersection of U.S. 61 and West Independence Street in Jackson. Upon selling the bait shop, Wes purchased and operated B & B Marine in Jackson and then worked several years for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2013.

Wes was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. His other affiliations include fourth-degree Knight and past Grand Knight of Bishop Timon Knights of Columbus Council 6405 in Jackson; Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 10495, both in Jackson; and Elks Lodge 2652 in Jackson.

Those having the privilege of knowing Wes knew he never met a stranger, and above all, he cherished his family and spending time with them. Other activities he enjoyed were volunteering and playing cards at the Missouri Veterans Home, woodworking, fishing, playing cards and Cardinals baseball.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Brenda Bartels of Jackson; four children, Wesley Bartels Jr. (Sandy Wendel), Wayne (Rhonda) Bartels, Pee Wee (Heather) Bartels and Lori (the late Ted) Williams, all of Jackson; 11 grandchildren, Logan, Drew and Mackenzie Bartels, Zach, Taylor and Megan Williams, Austin, Madelyn and Caroline Bartels and Nolan and Holden Bartels; a great-granddaughter, Della Rose Bartels; a sister, Mary Jane (the late Bill) Livers of Chicago; and a niece, Angela (Jim) Rudney of Atlanta.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth Anne Bartels; a son-in-law, Ted Williams; and a brother-in-law, Bill Livers.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today in Chapel A of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. There will be an American Legion Honor Guard service at 7:30 p.m., immediately followed by a rosary led by the Knights of Columbus.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, with the Rev. John Harth officiating and Deacon Walter Biri assisting. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

For those wishing to give a memorial, the family suggests contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation.

Online condolences may take the form of contributions to www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.