Henry John Barthel, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on April 16, 2024 at the age of 96 in Houston, Texas. His beloved wife and best friend of 67 years, Julia Barthel, passed away two years earlier on the exact same date, April 16, 2022. He bravely tried to live on in his characteristic upbeat and jovial way, but eventually his broken heart gave out and he willingly let go to rejoin the love of his life in heaven.
Henry was born in St. Louis as the only child of Henry and Elizabeth Barthel. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1945 and but missed his graduation ceremony to join the US Navy immediately following his 18th birthday. He proudly served on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier during the final year of WWII. After leaving active duty, he attended Washington University in St. Louis on the GI bill, obtaining a degree in business. He served in the US Navy Reserves until 1954. Henry worked in sales throughout his career for various companies like Felz-Naptha and Ovaltine before settling on the food brokerage business.
Henry met his future wife and soul mate, Julia, at a dance at the Forest Park Highlands in St. Louis. They were married in 1955 at St. Michael’s Church in Shrewsbury, Missouri. A few years later, they moved to Fenton, Missouri, where they were members of St. Paul Catholic Church. They were a very sociable couple who loved to play bridge, travel with friends, and host holidays for Julia’s many siblings. Perhaps the key to their happy marriage was their nightly “happy hour” that they enjoyed from the time they got married until Julia’s death. They would have one cocktail (a gin martini for Henry and a glass of wine for Julia) and a little snack and toast to their health and good life.
Henry was an avid golfer, and after retiring, would routinely walk 36 holes of golf with his friends weekly. He never stopped dreaming about perfecting his golf swing.
Henry and Julia lived most of their married life in the same home in Fenton, but at the age of 90, without help, they packed up, sold their house, and moved to Houston to be closer to their daughter and two grandchildren. They lived at The Abbey at Westminster Plaza retirement home in independent living until their deaths.
Henry is survived by his son, Mark Barthel, his daughter Laura (Martin) Citardi, and his two grandchildren, Nicole and Alexander Citardi.
Henry had the most beautiful soul and the purest heart. He was loved by everyone and it gave him great joy to make people laugh at his quick witted one liners. He smiled, sang, and hummed his way into people’s hearts. He will be dearly missed but those he leaves behind take comfort knowing that he is reunited with his beloved wife.
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