Bartel, Loyal Houlding (1901-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Nov 25 p. 7

Birth date: 1901 Nov 23, China
Date of Death: 1971 March 16, China

text of obituary:

Son of Mission Founder

Last American Missionary Dies in North China

ESCONDIDO, CALIF. — Word has been received here by Paul H. Bartel of the death from illness of his brother, Loyal Houlding Bartel, in the interior of North China where he had labored as a missionary for many years.

As far as family members know, Loyal Bartel was the only remaining Protestant missionary in mainland China.

He was born at sea on Nov. 23, 1901 while his parents, Rev. and Mrs. H. C. Bartel, were en route to China for their first term of missionary service. He spent his boyhood years in China, and then came to the United States for further education.

UPON GRADUATION from Moody Bible Institute and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, he returned with his wife, Susan Schultz Bartel, to the mission of the China Mennonite Mission Society, which his father had founded. They had a fruitful ministry in evangelism and Bible teaching.

The family remained in China during the difficult years of World War II and the advance of communist influence following the war. In 1948 Mrs. Bartel and their five children returned to the United States in the hope that Loyal would soon join them. This hope has never been realized. Rev. H. C. Bartel left China in 1952.

FAMILY MEMBERS have been able to correspond with Loyal spasmodically and to forward some funds to him at uncertain intervals. The last word written by him was dated Jan. 15, 1968, and the last funds sent to him he receipted on April 5, 1971. After this it became impossible to get through to him, so inquiry was made through reliable contacts, leading to the information that his death occurred some time between April 5 and Aug. 28, 1971.

Efforts are being made to secure further details on his last illness and death, but it is difficult to say whether or not these will be successful.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Dec 2 p. 8

text of obituary:

Memorial Services For China Missionary

Mt. Lake, Minn. — Memorial services were arranged for Sunday evening, Nov. 28, at the E.M.B. Church here for Loyal H. Bartel, long-time missionary whose death during the past summer in North China was reported recently. Rev. Frank Wiens, the pastor, and Rev. J. J. Esau were to take part in the service.

Rev. Bartel was believed to be the last Protestant missionary in mainland China. Word of his death was received by Mrs. Bartel, now living in Chicago, and family members at Escondido, Calif.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Tientsin Harbor, China
Son of Henry Cornelius and Nellie (Schmidt) Bartel
Married Susanna J. Schultz 1926 June 4, Mt Lake, Minnesota
Missionary (EMB) -- Shandong, China 1927-71

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
With wife (screen print)
With wife and 3 daughters (Christmas greeting) -- 1935
See Henry Cornelius Bartel for family photos

Sources:
Alice (Wiens) Bartel Corresp 1989
This Mountain is Mine 1969, p. 46-47
The Schultz Family 1982, p. 63
Ramseyer, Mennonites in China, p. 104
Grandma Online Profile #25974
Find A Grave 72220638