SR0800 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0800 LRB094 21322 HSS 59669 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Rev. Nathan Norval Bartel of Wheaton, formerly of Naperville, on Tuesday, August 8, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born on August 15, 1915, in Wautoma, Wisconsin; he graduated from North Central College and received his Master of Divinity degree from Evangelical Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, He moved to Naperville in 1966 to be Director of Church and Alumni Relations at North Central College; in 1975, he joined the staff of the Center for Parish Development, an interdenominational research and development agency; upon his retirement in the 1980s, he continued to serve as an Adjunct Staff Consultant for the Center and as a Development Associate at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston; and

WHEREAS, He held extensive leadership roles in the Wisconsin Conference of the former Evangelical United Brethren denomination, serving on the Board of Church Extension and Missions; he chaired committees and commissions of the Councils of Churches of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Racine counties; throughout his ministry, he was enthusiastic and instrumental in developing programs for Christian youth, church camping, ecumenical relations, mental health organizations, and radio and TV interfaith ministries; in 1944, he created the "Interfaith Radio Program" for WTMJ, the Milwaukee Journal station; in 2005, he was awarded a Certificate of Service to the Wisconsin Conference of UMC for 70 years of service to God's people; and

WHEREAS, His volunteer community work included directorships on numerous civic and welfare boards in the cities where he ministered; he served as the president of the Alumni Association for both of his alma maters, and in 1982, he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from North Central College; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Bartel was president of the Naperville-North Central College Performing Arts Association from 1980 to 1983; the Association's board of directors made him a "life director" "in grateful recognition of his many contributions to the association"; he was a member and Chaplain of Kiwanis International in Wauwatosa and Racine and the Evening Kiwanis Club of Naperville, which awarded him the Hixson Fellowship Award; the Naperville Jaycees awarded him for his community service in the religion category; and

WHEREAS, He was a leader in the organization of the Edward Hospital Chapter of Mended Hearts, working with cardiac patients and their families as an "on-call chaplain" at Edward Hospital; as an active member of Community United Methodist Church, Naperville, he served as a Sunday school teacher and chaired commissions on worship, education, and evangelism; and

WHEREAS, A world traveler, he and his wife, Isabelle, shared their personal travelogues with many church and civic groups; and

WHEREAS, He will be remembered as a friendly, dedicated, people's pastor; his passing has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Isabelle (nee Williams) Bartel; his daughters, Ellen Bartel and Marina (Daniel) Semprevivo; his grandchildren, Michael (Anna), Paul, and Laura Semprevivo; and his many nieces and nephews; he was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. William and Ellen (nee Clocksene) Bartel; his brother, Elsmer; and his sister, Dorothy Fulton; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Rev. Nathan Bartel, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.