Rosemary Bartels

Rosemary Bartels, 90, of Shelbyville, IL, formerly of Illiopolis, IL, passed away at 4:49 p.m. Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Villas of Holly Brook, Shelbyville, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, in Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Pastor Melissa Ebken officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Casual attire is requested. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery, Cowden, IL. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Rosemary was born on March 17, 1936, in Cowden, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Edna (Jones) Thompson. Rosemary graduated from Cowden High School in the Class of 1953. She married John “Robert” Bartels on March 23, 1955, and they were blessed with three children, Debra, Donna and Michael. Rosemary and Robert enjoyed spending time with family at their cabin in northern Minnesota. Rosemary was a member of the Illiopolis Christian Church and an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. She loved to cook and will be remembered for her homemade noodles, peanut brittle, and Christmas candy.

Rosemary is survived by her daughters, Debra Lochbaum (Daniel) of Lakewood, IL and Donna McKenzie (Allen) of Springfield, IL; son, Michael Bartels of Shelbyville, IL; sister, Helen Prater of Decatur, IL; brothers, Don Thompson of Effingham, IL, Jim Thompson of Cowden, IL, Gene Thompson of Herrick, IL, Harvey Thompson (Ruth Ann) of Decatur, IL, John Thompson (Janet) of Cowden, IL, Dean Thompson (Jan) of Herrick, IL and Ed Thompson (Becki) of Cowden, IL; grandchildren, Jessica Gipson, Jill Park (Travis), Jared Lochbaum, Jennifer Gaul and Brian McKenzie; great grandchildren, Danielle Lochbaum, Elizabeth Jones (Grady), Madison Gipson, Dylan Park, Devin Park, Karson Park, Jason Gaul, James Gaul, Allaina Gaul, and Alexis Stover; and great great grandchildren, Oliver Jones, Myles Jones, Cole Cox, and Warren Park.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert on September 1, 2019; sisters, Shirley Hadley and Jane Seeley; and brothers, Joe Thompson, Bill Peifer and Charles Peifer.