Bartel, Rudy (1931-2012)

Rudy and Irene Bartel, 1994.
Photo: Centre for MB Studies (Winnipeg, Manitoba), NP179-01-11.

Rudy Bartel: pastor, high school principal and teacher; born 6 April 1931 in Leamington, Ontario. He was the fourth of five children born to Franz P. Bartel (1899 –1989) and Elisabeth (Enns) Bartel (1901–1984). Rudy was baptized in 1943 and accepted into the Leamington Mennonite Brethren Church. Rudy Bartel married Irene Wiens (22 March 1934 – ) on 26 November 1955 in Virgil, Ontario. Rudy and Irene had five children, two daughters and three sons. Rudy died 27 January 2012 in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Rudy Bartel studied at Ontario Bible School (Fort Erie, Ontario), Mennonite Brethren Bible College (Th.B., 1952), Waterloo College and University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) (B.A.). He was a teacher at Eden Christian College, 1954-1966, 1981-1982, 1986-1987; principal from 1960-1966, 1986-1987; administrator of Eden High School (an alternative school under Lincoln County School Board, 1988-1989 and head of the guidance department unitl his retirement in 1994; guidance counselor, Granthan High School (St. Catharines, Ontario), 1966-1974, part of the Lincoln County Board of Education. Rudy was the last principal of Eden Christan College and led the school through the negotiations and transition stage as Eden Christian College became Eden High School, an alternative school under the Lincoln County Board of Education.

Rudy and Irene Bartel were called to lay minister at the Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church and ordained on 12 July 1964. Rudy served as the pastor of Niagara Christian Fellowship Chapel (1966-1974), Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church (St. Catharines, Ontario) (1975-1981), Scott Street Mennonite Brethren Church (St. Catharines, Ontario) (1981-1982) and Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (1982-1986). His wife, Irene Bartel served on the piano and organ, wherever Rudy ministered. Rudy Bartel was also the founding chairman of the Shalom Counselling Services branch that opened in St. Catharines in 1982.

Rudy Bartel was also active beyond the local level, as he served in various roles and positions in the Ontario Mennonite Brethren Conference and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches – such as positions on the executive, member of the Board of Higher Education, Concord College Board, Board of Faith and Life and the MCC Canada board. Rudy and Irene Bartel also served a term with Mennonite Brethrens Missions in Dresden, Germany.

Rudy valued interaction and mentorship with students, church members and colleagues. He modelled a life of service. He loved music and had a sense of humour and optimism.

Bibliography

Bergmann, Helen Reimer. Ebenezer: Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church, 1937-1987. Virgil, Ontario: Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church, 1987: 27.

Friesen, C. Alfred. Memoirs of the Virgil-Niagara Mennonites: History of the Mennonite Settlement in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 1934-84 / written and compiled by C. Alfred Friesen for the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary jubilee celebration, Oct. 13, 1984. (1984): 62, 118.

GRANDMA (The Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry) Database, 7.05 ed. Fresno, CA: California Mennonite Historical Society, 2013: #189564.

"Rudy Bartel." Mennonite Brethren Herald ( August 2012): 30.

Author(s)	Alf Redekopp
Date Published	December 2017

Cite This Article

MLA style

Redekopp, Alf. "Bartel, Rudy (1931-2012)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. December 2017. Web. 25 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bartel,_Rudy_(1931-2012)&oldid=156014.

APA style

Redekopp, Alf. (December 2017). Bartel, Rudy (1931-2012). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bartel,_Rudy_(1931-2012)&oldid=156014.

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