US ARMY AIR CORPS WWII
365th BOMB SQUADRON
Virgil Oliver Bartels, age 84, of Muscoda, passed away in the V.A. Hospital in Tomah, Wisconsin on Pearl Harbor Day December 7, 2007. He was born March 12, 1923 in Stuben, Wisconsin the son of Amos & Carrie (Milham) Bartels. Virgil enlisted in the Army Air Corp on the 30th of Oct. 1942 as a Armorer Gunner (tail gunner in B-17) and was sent to England on August 25, 1943 where he flew several missions over Germany. His airplane was shot down and he was captured by a German farmer with a pitch fork. He spent 15 months as a German prisoner and marched several times between camps. He returned to the USA on June 3rd 1945. While serving in the Air Corp he received the Purple Heart, Victory Medal, Good conduct Medal American Theater European-African-Middle Eastern Medal. He was a member of the Muscoda VFW. Virgil did some farming early in life but went to driving Semi-Tractor trailors, a job he really loved. His over the road job took him all over the United States. He received several awards for safe driving and was very proud of his awards. Survivors include his son, Roger Bartels of Adams, Wisconsin; six sisters and a brother Eloise Sieger of Charlotte, N.C.; Emily Kolman of Muscoda, Margy Mohr of Wauzeka; Junior Bartels of Genoa, ILL.; Evelyn Haight of Mission Texas; Kathleen Pursell of Rock Falls, Ill.; Susie Balousek of Verona; 7 grandchildren, many great grandchildren other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joyce Kolman; two sons, Kenneth and Donald Bartels; a brother LeRoy Bartels and two sisters Elizabeth Henricksen and Maxine Vance. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Godager Funeral Home in Muscoda. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Muscoda VFW in the Coumb Cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday April 26, 2008 at the Godager Funeral Home from 10:00 AM until the time of services. The Godager Funeral Home of Muscoda is serving the family.