David Bartel

David Bartel, 58, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain wasting disease.

David was born Jan. 3, 1948, in Polson to Albert and Elizabeth Bartel.

He attended Libby High School, where he played baseball.

David in the early 1970s moved to Spokane, Wash., and then to the Santa Cruz Mountains via Hawaii, where he owned a pedicab business. He later worked for AB Welding in Ben Lomond, Calif. While living in San Lorenzo Valley, David worked for Lompico Water District.

He was a volunteer with Zayante Fire Department and a member of Valley Women's Club. David also was a volunteer with Valley Churches United in Ben Lomond.

David enjoyed fishing whether it was for trout in Granite Lake or salmon in Monterey Bay, and skiing, especially at Turner Mountain. He also liked the San Francisco 49ers and NASCAR.

Friends have described David as hard working, and a can-do guy with a warm and positive personality.

He is survived by his father and a brother, Steve.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.