Wilbert Bruce 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 lived an amazing life filled with generosity and caring. His benevolence, character and leadership were immediately known to anyone he met. Bud was born October 2, 1936, in Chicago, IL and attended Lane Tech High School, Wright Junior College (where he met his future wife Shirley) and DePaul University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Bud completed post-graduate work at Harvard University and University of Chicago. Prior to attending DePaul, Bud was very proud to have served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

Bud’s innate intelligence and desire for knowledge and success was evident in his illustrious 42-year career at Rust-Oleum Corporation. Bud excelled in a variety of positions ranging from a chemist mixing formulas in the lab to ultimately Executive Vice President leading multiple operations teams, with many leadership roles in between. His knack for conducting business and problem-solving made him a charismatic mentor, advisor, and leader.

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: Kyle, Alex, Kenneth, Zachary (Danielle), Corey, Jenna Peterson, Ryan Peterson (Krista), Brianna (Max Gerber), Taylor (Sid Carbone), Heather, Jeremiah, Jessica (Alexander Salvador), Shannon (Josh Corlin), and Johnathan and eight great-grandchildren: Maverick, Jason, Caiden, Nolan, Braelyn, Cameron, Ronan, and Gavin. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his brother Denny, his sister Susan O’Kelly and nephew Tim/TJ O’Kelly (Laura). He is preceded in death by his parents Ken and Sue Waterstradt along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In his professional career, he was active in many trade associations leading various committees for the National Paint & Coatings Association, serving as a past president of the Chicago Society for Coatings Technology, and participation in Rust-Oleum’s own Royal Scot Society.

Bud was a very active member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Prospect Heights, IL,

for over 62 years. He was a Sunday School & Confirmation teacher, and served on the Board of

Ministers for multiple terms. His interest in Social Ministry was a driving force including chairing the

committee, supporting and working with the church’s ministries of Meals on Wheels, PADS, Crop

Walk, and Wheeling Township Food Pantry. As a lay leader, lay reader, and member of the Mutual

Ministry & Call Committees, his leadership and volunteerism were guided by his faith and the Gospel.

He also was a member of the Board of Trustees for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

Although his duties at Rust-Oleum called for world-wide travel, he still found time for passions like golfing, bowling and fishing. When he wasn’t attending one of Chicago’s professional sports team games, especially the Bears, he was actively cheering at multiple sporting events in which his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren participated. He also loved traveling to the family’s second home in Door County, Wisconsin for enjoyable get-aways with Shirley and their grandchildren. 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 services at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights. Memorials in his honor can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the American Cancer Society.