John C. “Jack” Bartler, age 94, longtime resident of Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, & Wheaton, Illinois, and Siesta Key & Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025.
He graduated with a degree in political science and earned his law degree from Northwestern University, and was a proud member of Theta Chi and Phi Delta Phi (legal) fraternities. He went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career as an attorney, known for his professionalism, integrity, and dedication to those he served. After retiring, he found great joy in sharing his love of music as an active member of the choirs at Visitation Parish in Elmhurst and St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota.
Jack will be remembered as an engaging and steady presence who was married for 63 years to the love of his life Margot. He enjoyed many activities that included gardening, golfing, tennis, and writing poetry. Jack also enjoyed traveling, cooking for family and friends, and regularly took part in community theater. His life was shaped by curiosity and a genuine interest in the world around him, and he will be missed by those who knew him.
Jack was the beloved husband of the late Margot Bartler nee MacNeal; loving father of Brian Karl (Patricia) Bartler, Karyn Louise (Ray) Campbell, Juli Ann (Greg) Morrissey, and Lori Lynn (Robert) Galbreath; cherished grandfather of Brittney Kristine (Jorge) Valdez, Margo Elizabeth (Joseph) Siwak, David Karl Bartler, and Bradley John, Joseph Carl & Natalie Quinn Galbreath; dearest great grandfather of Talia Rose, Logan John, and Gavin Brian. Brother of Mary Lou (the late Norb) Latz; uncle of Lynda Latz, Lisa (Ed) Rausch, and Norb (Robin) Latz; great-uncle of Peter (Courtney) & Emily Rausch, and Alyssa (Payton) & Anna Latz.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025 beginning at 10 a.m. at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jack’s favorite charities, Misericordia, Food for the Poor or Shriners Children’s.
For more information, (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.