Herman Walter (Wally) Barthel

A memorial service for Herman Walter (Wally) Barthel, 88, will be Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville with the Rev. John Simmons and the Rev. Ted Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from 1 -3 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Patton's Chapel Cemetery at Hoover First United Methodist Church, Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 1 p.m. Mr. Barthel died Friday, March 17, 2014, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. He was born on May 3, 1925, the 3rd of 5 children of Emil and Minnie Barthel in Port Huron, Michigan. He graduated from Port Huron High School and attended Michigan State College. He enjoyed his love for the water and seas as a Sea Scout on Lake Huron and the St. Lawrence River during his teen years, which led to his enlistment and service in the US Navy during World War II on the USS Phantom. During the Korean War he enlisted in the Air Force, which is what brought him to meet the love of his life, Helen, while she was on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida. They were married on May 12, 1951, and had 62+ wonderful years together. His love for family and friends was enormous. He was always ready to make someone laugh with a good joke or ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a member of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church since 1961. He retired as Assistant District Manager of the Social Security District Office in Gadsden. His passion to serve others led him to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Jacksonville Hospital and Medical Center for 22 years, 16 years as Chairman. Wally served as Scoutmaster of Troop 19 for 8 years with seven Eagle Scouts. He loved golf, fishing and bowling. He served as coach for many years for the junior bowlers at Anniston Bowling Center and bowled in many leagues over the years in both Anniston and Birmingham. He served as President of both the Anniston Local and Alabama State Bowling Association and was elected as a life member in both. He was also selected as member of the Alabama State Bowling Association Hall of Fame and was elected as a Charter Member of the Anniston Hall of Fame. Wally may have gone to Michigan State, but you could never find a more avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan. His love for Alabama football was immense. He was a member of the alumni association and the 1st and Ten Club, for which he served as photographer for many years. He and Helen had season tickets to all home games and often traveled to away games, especially to Bowl games, until health prevented. They also loved to travel and spent every summer when the grandkids were young taking them around the country. He is survived by his wife, of 62 years, Helen Johnson Barthel; son Richard W. Barthel Sr.; Daughter-in-law, Kathy Diane; Grand Twins Rebecca Diane and Richard W. Barthel Jr.; Granddaughter-in-law, Heather; great-grandchildren, Destiny, Taylor and Joseph Tyler (JT); his brother Rudy Barthel (Lee), of Charleston, S.C., Emil Barthel (Elaine) of Port Huron, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, father, Emil Barthel; mother, Minnie Barthel Kemsley, sister Peggy Learman; sister and brother-in-law, Ella and Earl Hull; his beloved mother and father-in-law Edna and Floyd Johnson. The family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors and staff of Gadsden Regional and to Southern Care hospice for the wonderful care they have given. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Jacksonville 1st United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1025, Jacksonville, Ala. 36265. Online condolences to the family at www.klbrownfuneralhome.com. K. L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center 322 Nisbet St., N.W. Jacksonville, Alabama 36265 Phone (256) 435-7042