Bluefield- Oswald “Sam” Bartel, age 72, of Bluefield, WV, passed away February 13, 2007 in Bluefield Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

     He was born July 21, 1934 in the Ukraine.  He was the son of Auguste Bartel Leippi and the stepson of Johann Leippi.  He and his family immigrated to the United States from Stuttgart Germany in August 1955.  The family settled in Bland County Virginia, where he met his future wife, the girl next door, Marilyn Moorehead.  He learned to speak English from surrounding neighbors and American television.

     He was the owner and operator of Bluefield Dental Lab for the past 31 years.  He started as an employee with the dental lab in 1957 and then went on to purchase the business in 1975.  He was a diligent worker, an honest businessman and a man that took pride in his work.  

     During his life he made numerous friends, he never met a stranger.  He was known for his intelligence, his compassion and for the laughter he was so willing to share.  He showed his family how to love and give freely, he was a man to be proud of.

     He was preceded in death by his two brothers Eric and Gerhart Leippi and his parents, Auguste and Johann Leippi of Princeton, WV.

     Survivors include Marilyn Sue Bartel, his wife of 46 years; one son Oswald Kurt Bartel and his wife Janet of Bluefield, WV; two daughters, Karen Sue Kidd and her husband Mark of Charlotte, NC and Tricia Bartel Stansell and her husband Charles of Asheville, NC; his sister Olga Amatucci of Hagerstown, MD; one grandchild Brandi Augusta Kidd of Charlotte, NC.

     A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday February 17, 2007 at Mercer Funeral Home.  Friends and family may visit between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on that same day.  As per his request, he will be cremated and his cremains will remain with the family.

     The world has lost a wonderful, loving soul.  He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

     Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com

    Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the Bartel family with arrangements.

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