Paul H. Bartels

Paul H. Bartels, age 97, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 10, 2017, just 11 days shy of his 98th birthday. He was a resident of Shipley Manor, where he enjoyed playing bingo and Wii bowling. Born in 1919 on a farm on Shipley Road, near Talleyville, Paul was the son of Robert and Margaret (Wiggins) Bartels.

He attended a one-room school on Naaman’s Road until 6th grade, then Alfred I. du Pont Elementary School through 8th grade. In 1937, he graduated from Conrad High School. Prior to being drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1941, he worked at the NVF plant in Yorklyn, DE. A proud veteran, he served at various bases in the U.S. and abroad, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1943, he was sent overseas to India and assigned to a B29 Bomber Group. Discharged in 1945, he began employment at the DuPont Experimental Station, working in the Pesticide Control Division for 34 years.

While attending a USO dance, Paul met the love of his life, Helen E. Rodenhiser. They were married in 1949 at First and Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE. Together, they raised 3 children: two daughters and a son. Paul’s interests included singing, gardening, and bowling. He had a magic touch for growing beautiful roses and African violets. After his retirement in 1979, he dedicated his time caring for his wife who had become severely disabled from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Joining Aldersgate Methodist Church in 1958, Paul sang in the adult choir for over 30 years. He also sang with the Orpheus Club for many years and as a resident of Shipley Manor, Paul sang in their choir. When time permitted, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and drove dialysis patients to their appointments.

He is predeceased by Helen (Rodenhiser) Bartels, his wife of 59 years, his son Carl, his brothers Robert and William, and his sister, Margaret (Bartels) Davis. He is survived by his daughters Gail Dill and her husband Fred and Karen Austin and her husband Walter; his grandchildren Brian Mowll, Doug (Crista) Austin and Courtney Austin; and 4 great grandchildren, Nicolas, Annie, Mason, and Maxwell Mowll, and a great grand dog named Nalani.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Paul’s memory to Seasons Hospice, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19718 or Aldersgate Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803.