Gustave Bartels of Land O Lakes passed away October 12, 2017. He was born January 26, 1932 in Pontiac, MI to Gustave Sr. and Lucille Bartels. From 1952-1953 Gus was a decorated Army Combat Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a forward observer with the 160th Artillery Battalion of the 45th division. He received the Bronze Star for valor among 4 other commendations. Please note that Gus was U.S. not R.A. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1954, he returned to Detroit, MI. There, he married his beautiful high-school sweet heart, the talented and gorgeous, Maureen Mahanna. Gus enrolled in the University of Detroit in 1955 in the College of Engineering. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Maureen received her degree in PHT (putting her husband through). She worked during his college years until 1961 when the disease of Multiple Sclerosis became too crippling. Gus spent 20 years in the automotive industry with Ford, General Motors and Massey Ferguson as a manufacturing engineer. First, as a process engineer with Ford Motor Company in 1958 and finally as a plant manager with Massey Ferguson in 1979. In 1983, they moved to Daytona Beach, FL. He was appointed V.P. of Manufacturing for a plastic firm making automobile parts. In 1984, he became plant manger for GHA Lock Joint, Inc. in Lacoochee, FL, a manufacturer of concrete transmission pipe line. In June of 1989, he retired due to the illness of his dear wife. Gus was married to his soul mate, Maureen, for 44 years until her death in August of 1998. Survivors include his beloved children and grandchildren. Gus was a member for Our Lady Rosary Catholic Church, where services will be held at 10:30a.m. Tuesday, October 17th. Gus and Maureen will be laid to rest together at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family request that you please consider donations to the DAV Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.