Donald W. Bartel, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 13, 2015, from complications of several strokes. He was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1924 in Sterling, Illinois, to Joseph H. Bartel and Ethel Logsdon Bartel. Don was a kind, generous and happy man who dearly loved his wife of 67 years, Mary A. Bartel. He is survived by his wife Mary, six children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Don and Mary lived in Galesburg, Illinois, where Barbara was born, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the other five children were born. They moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1962 and lived there for 49 years. In 2012, they joined their three sons and multiple grandchildren in Plano, Texas. Don enjoyed several careers over his long and productive life, including sales, owning part interest a dragstrip in Cordova, Illinois, working at Chrysler in Belvidere, Illinois, and investing in real estate. He traveled all over the world with his beloved Mary, riding camels in Egypt, seeing the Wonders of the World. and visiting family. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, casting an uncritical eye and showering unconditional love. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 10:30 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 5100 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Survivors include his wife Mary, his children Barbara, Rick and his wife Sophie, Pat Astleford and her husband Bob, Carol Gambrel and her husband Keith, John, and Tom and his wife Kathy. Grandchildren include Michael, Ashley, Matthew, Emily, Daniel and Rebecca Bartel; Renee, Brad and Laura Gambrel; Julie Olson-Rachlin and her husband Seth; and Sarah Cooney and her husband Steven. His great grandchild is Jake Siebert. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Community, Plano, Texas; Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford, Illinois; or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700