BARTEL, Elsmer Earl (Bugs)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/07/2003 Elsmer Earl "Bugs" Bartel He was born May 19, 1923. Bugs served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, and was last stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB. He worked at many colorful occupations, including farmer and truck driver as a boy, cowboyed during local Tucson round-ups, "wrangled" at Tucson's Hacienda de Sol Guest Ranch, and started a stage coach ride concession at Old Tucson. He worked at various construction industry jobs in the southwest U.S. and the mining regions of Chile. With his son, Bill, he started an excavating service in 1971, continuing until the late 1980s. He moved to Lakeside in the White Mountains, in 1996. He always loved his fishing, hunting and horses. Bugs was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor and sister, Dorothy Fulton. He is survived by his brother Nathan Bartel (Isabel) of Wheaton, Illinois; long time companion, friend and caregiver, Donna Rothmann of Lakeside; son, Bill (Betty) Bartel of Show Low; daughter, Debra (Brian) Zabel of Belcarra, British Columbia; step-daughters, Pat (Dave) Ross of Goodyear, and Loretta (Ralph) Miller of Tucson; step-son David (Trish) Gray of San Jacinto, California; eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many friends all over. Special mention to Betty Bartel for being the pillar in faith and peace of mind and Donna's daughter Jeanne, her daughter, Heather and "Papa's buddy, Cody. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Saddle Brook Mountain View Clubhouse in Tucson.