Wilbert "Bud" Bartelt

Wilbert "Bud" Bartelt, 88, a 54-year resident of Arlington Heights, IL passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 19, 2025. Bud was a devoted family man, and his benevolence, character and leadership were immediately known to anyone he met. Bud was born in Chicago, IL, and he attended DePaul University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Prior to attending DePaul, Bud was very proud to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

Bud had an illustrious 42-year career at Rust-Oleum Corporation starting as a chemist mixing formulas in the lab to ultimately Executive Vice President leading multiple operations teams.

For over 67 years, Bud shared a devoted marriage with Shirley (nee Anderson) and they built a loving family filled with six children: Scott (Sophie), Ken (Jill), Cindy (Jeff Peterson), Tim, Julie (Bonnie Watterson), and Andy (Angela) along with 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his brother Denny, his sister Susan O'Kelly. He is preceded in death by his parents Ken and Sue Waterstradt.

Bud was a 62-year active member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Prospect Heights, IL. He served on the Board of Ministers for multiple terms and worked with many of the church's ministries. He also was a member of the Board of Trustees for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

Bud found time for passions like golfing, bowling and fishing and when he wasn't attending one of Chicago's professional sports team games, he was actively cheering at multiple sporting events in which his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren participated. He could always be counted on to tell a chuckle-inducing, and sometimes groan-provoking, joke or provide much-appreciated life advice.

A funeral ceremony will be held at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on May 29, 2025, with visitation at 10am and service at 11am followed by private, family-only interment at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights. Memorials can be made in his honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the American Cancer Society.