Ronald "Pete" Barteau

Ronald "Papa Pete" Barteau, 82, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Born on March 13, 1943, Pete lived a full and meaningful life rooted in faith, service to others, and deep devotion to his family.
Pete grew up Catholic and served as an altar boy in his youth, carrying those early values of kindness and compassion throughout his life. He began his career in public service straight out of high school as a police officer and later became police chief in multiple Missouri communities, including St. John. During the Times Beach dioxin crisis and flooding of the early 1980s, he played a key leadership role in maintaining safety and calm during one of the region's most challenging emergencies. His innovative, community-focused style of policing earned respect locally and nationally, grounded in visibility, kindness, and genuine care for the people he served.
After retiring from law enforcement, Pete and his wife, Pat, began a new chapter together as business owners. They ran the Hwy 94 Mini Mart and later Best Little Deli & Pizza, creating warm, welcoming places where people felt known and cared for. Pete went on to found St. Charles Office Furniture, later expanding to Wright City Office Furniture, where his passion for helping others guided every decision. He was known for his honesty, generosity, and commitment to quality, often donating or discounting furniture for churches, schools, and charities. His business was recognized as Employer of the Year in 2009.
Pete and Pat shared a deep, enduring love built on partnership, laughter, and devotion. Pat loved Pete with all her heart, and he loved her just as completely. They supported one another through every season of life, worked side by side, and created a home filled with warmth, hospitality, humor, and genuine care for everyone who walked through their door.
Pete also had a remarkable gift for fixing anything. He loved to tinker, observe how things worked, research solutions, and teach himself whatever was needed to repair chairs, desks, equipment, and more. His ability to make broken things whole again reflected the way he cared for the people in his life.
Above all else, Pete cherished his family. He was a loving father, father figure, grandfather, and great-grandfather who showed unwavering support and devotion. He inspired his granddaughter, Salena, to carry forward his legacy through her company, Better Office Furniture, built on the same values of service, quality, and care that he lived by every day.
Pete found joy in life's simple pleasures – movie nights with a cold soda and popcorn, classic music from the 1940s and 1950s, and rides through the neighborhood in his golf cart decorated with police and firefighter memorabilia, always happy to wave, visit, and quietly look out for his neighbors.
Pete was preceded in death by his father Herbert Barteau Sr.; mother Evelyn Barteau (née Hoffmeister); sister Ruth-Ann Laramie (née Barteau) and her husband Frank Laramie; sister Gail Michel (née Barteau) and brother-in-law Mike Michel; brother Herbert "Herbie" Barteau Jr.; and his daughter Cyndie Fish Fry.
He is survived by his devoted wife and life partner, Pat Barteau; his brother Skip (Donna) Barteau; sister-in-law Madaline Barteau; his son Mark Smith; his son-in-law John Fry; April Smith; grandchildren Salena Mikos (Joel), Erik Nobs, Adam Fish (Kelli), Amber Fish, and Sommer Smith; great-grandchildren Adrian Mikos, Jack Fish, Sophia Villasenor, Aubree Espinosa, and Olivia Espinosa; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and community members whose lives he touched with humor, generosity, and kindness.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, followed by a funeral service from 1:00 to 1:30 PM, at Hutchens Stygar Funeral Home, 5987 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, St. Peters, MO 63376. A light meal will follow from 1:30 to 2:30 PM. Flowers may be delivered directly to Hutchens Stygar Funeral Home.
Ronald "Papa Pete" Barteau lived with purpose, served with heart, and loved with his whole soul. His legacy will continue through the family he cherished and the many lives he touched.