Gary George Bartelt of Hondo, 88, passed away Monday, November 20, 2017, at a care facility in New Braunfels, Texas. Gary was born on August 11, 1929, in Gillett, Wisconsin, the son of George and Loretta (Johnson) Bartelt. Gary grew up in Gillett, WI, graduating from Gillett High School and attending the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. While in college, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and later transferred to Hondo Air Force Base where he met Doris May Bendele. After serving in the Air Force, Gary worked as a Store Manager for S.. H. Kress and Winn's Variety Stores. He later became a Veterans Affairs Officer for the Texas Veterans Commission and as a Veterans Affairs Officer for the Medina County Veterans Service Office. It was Gary's dedication to helping veterans of Medina County that earned him the award of Unsung Hero in 2008 from the Hondo Chamber of Commerce. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Doris May Bendele Bartelt; his two daughters, Denise (Paul) Kraft of New Braunfels and Donna (Duane) Vaughn of Fulshear; five grandchildren, Shana (Kevin) Bayer, Kyle (Amanda) Kraft, Justin (Carrie) Vaughn, Matthew (JanDe) Vaughn, and Kevin (Kileigh) Vaughn; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Lon (Carole) Bartelt of Pulaski, WI; sisters-in-law, Pearl Bartelt of Green Bay, WI, and Shirley Bendele Holzhaus of Castroville; brother-in-law, Kenneth (Mary) Bendele of Hondo. Gary is preceded in death by his parents, George and Loretta Bartelt; his brother, David Bartelt; and his sister, Yoland Bartelt Schleicher. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Dec. 1, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will be at Hondo Cemetery, St. John's Mausoleum. Family suggests memorials may be made to any veterans organization of your choosing.