John Bartels

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

John E. “Zoobie” Bartels, 79 of Moore, OK, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Physicians Hospital in Anadarko, OK.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville prior to funeral mass. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. on at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Chris Podhajsky will officiate.

Zoobie was born August 11, 1944, the 14th child of 15 born to Edward and Marie (Kluesner) Bartels. He graduated from Xavier High School in 1963. Zoobie was a world traveler visiting 32 countries, his favorite being Holland and Italy. His career in transportation took him to California and later, to Oklahoma, retiring in 1995. Zoobie then discovered his true purpose when he decided to drive school bus for the Moore, OK public school district. John worked as a driver and classroom assistant for special needs students. He was given the schools OEA Education Professional Award. As he stated, “Working with the disability kids makes it all worthwhile. They may not be able to walk or talk, but they say it all with their eyes.” Zoobie enjoyed his Oklahoma Sooners but remained a very loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan. And he always enjoyed his trips back to Iowa, visiting family, nieces and nephews and wanted everyone to know he lived a full wonderful life.

Survivors include his siblings: Emily Bartels of Dyersville IA, Doris Crow of Dubuque, IA, Bevlin Bartels of Hazel Green, WI, Marlene (Steve) McAleer of Monticello, IA, Patricia Bartels of Elk Horn, WI, and Nancy (Burt) Fairchild of Woodbury, MN., and many endearing nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: William “Woody” Bartels, Dale Bartels, Myrna Carty, Phyllis Bartels, Joyce (Frank) Caruso, Rosemary (Vern) Frericks, Joan Bartels, and Kay (Roy) Krapfl.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa.

The family would like to thank Jeanne and Mel Graves for their friendship and care of John.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com. Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA 52040.