John was born in Chester, WV, the oldest of seven children. Life was pretty good until his mother died when he was eight years old. He moved on and graduated from Toronto High School at the age of 16. He worked at what jobs were available until he joined the Air Force in 19444. In 1945, he was discharged as first pilot of a 4 engine bombardment aircraft, a B-24. The next 2 ½ years were spent in Columbus OSU earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with a major in dairy science.

The Damascus saga began in 1956 with the purchase of the Don Phillips farm and the raising of registered Brown Swiss cattle. A few years later, he joined Ruritan, with official duties beginning in 1964 as secretary. That was the year of the first ox roast. He became vice president in 1965. That was the year of the first swiss steak supper. That same year, they also mapped out, built bridges, and made nature trails in the Community Center. When he was president in 1966, the club was instrumental in getting the traffic light at Westville and starting a petition for toll free telephone service in Salem.

In 1984, he wasn't paying much attention at the Fall Convention and was nominated as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio District. Having sold the farm in 1979, he was able to enjoy the experience of traveling the state, visiting all 70 clubs and becoming acquainted with the wonderful Ruritan people. In 1987, he again took on the vice presidency and the presidency of the Damascus Club. While he was serving another term as president in 1988, the club sponsored 2 students to Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, and donated $700 to the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department for the purchasing and installing of dry fire hydrants. At the time when he was no longer able to attend the Ruritan, he had 48 years of perfect attendance in the club. John gave many hours of community service through the Ruritan club.

Along the way, he became active in the Farm Bureau and the Damascus United Methodist Church. Retirement brought an interest in the fine points of of rifles and the hunting of groundhogs, having relieved farmers of an average of well over 100 of the pests each year.

He is survived by his brother, Fred Bartels of Toronto, OH.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Doris Dean, whom he married on May 21, 1945, his siblings, Ernest Bartels, Paul Bartels, Marjorie Stoneking, George Bartels and Harry Bartels.