By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles Township lost a dedicated public servant Wednesday morning, with the death of William E. Barthel, former township clerk for 24 years, from 1976 to 2000.
County Commissioner John LaMore worked with Barthel for 13 years, when he was fire chief of the township.
His first three years, Barthel checked his budget very carefully, putting it “under a microscope. He spent wisely, but planned for the future,” LaMore added. “He was sharp with a pencil.”
After that time the two developed a faith and trust in each other, that both kept the township first, “on good ground.” Though a 75 foot quint truck was purchased after Barthel left, Barthel along with Harry Siedelberg, former supervisor, were instrumental in setting aside capital funds for many years for its purchase, LaMore said.
Bob Jones was on the board the entire time Barthel was clerk. “He brought the township out of the red and into the black,” Jones said. “He was a tight fiscal person - a square shooter.”
Niles Township Treasurer Jim Ringler worked with Barthel for four years, coming in as township treasurer in 1996.
He will also be missed by his friends at the senior center. “When he went to the hospital, they went there to play cards and when he got his health back, to his home,” remembered Kathy Ender, director of the Greater Niles Senior Center. “He loved the casino trips,” she added.
A lifetime resident of Niles and 1946 graduate of Niles Senior High School, he was a fisherman and an avid Chicago Cubs Fan. He was employed for 30 years at Kawneer Company, in Niles and retired from Niles Aluminum Products.
William E. Barthel, 77, of LaSalle Avenue, Niles, died at 5:25 a.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at his home, following an extended illness.
Funeral services for Mr. Barthel will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Halbritter Funeral Home, in Niles, with the Reverend Franklin P. Schuster III of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating.
Burial will take place at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, in Niles. Family will receive friends, at the funeral home, on Saturday, at 2 p.m., one hour prior to the services.
He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Dorothea, also two daughters, Pamela J. Hively and Lesley S. Barthel, both of Niles and a grandson, Joshua Hively of South Bend.
Memorial contributions, in his memory, may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.