David Sylvester Bortel, of Spring Arbor, Michigan, born May 24, 1920, went to be with his Lord and Savior
on Monday, June 16, 2014 at the age of 94.
1 Cor. 2.9 "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those
who love him."
David was preceded in death by his first wife Lena, parents Clifford and Myrtle Bortel and a sister
Mildred.
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy (Wormley) Bortel and three sons, John (Beatrice) Bortel of Fayetteville,
W. VA, Michael (Darlene) Bortel of Apple Valley, MN, and Larry (Susan) Bortel of Gray, TN; sister, Anna
Church of Newberg OR. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and two
great-great-grandchildren.
David was a mail carrier from 1944 to 1953 in Bowling Green OH.
After graduating from Bowling Green State University, he was a teacher in the Troy Luckey School and
later principal at the Eastwood Junior High and Elementary Schools in Pemberville, OH.
In 1968, Bortel moved to Spring Arbor, MI where he was employed as a Director of the Physical Plant and
Coordinator of Campus Construction at Spring Arbor University.
He was a member of the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church, charter member of Phi Delta Kappa of Bowling
Green State University, former member of the Spring Arbor Township Planning Commission, Association of
Physical Plant Administrators, past president of the Spring Arbor Kiwanis Club and Christian Business
Men’s Committee. Bortel was an Army Veteran, Signal Corp of World War II.
A celebration of David’s life will be held in the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church on Thursday, June
19, at 11 a.m. Reverend Mark Van Valin, Reverend Darold L. Hill and Reverend Mike Bortel officiating.

Interment in Union Hill Cemetery at Bowling Green, Ohio, Friday, June 20, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Free Methodist Missions or Hope University, Free
Methodist Foundation, P.O. Box 580, Spring Arbor, MI 49283.
The family will receive family and friends at the Watson Funeral Chapel Wednesday, June 18, from 5 to 8
p.m. and at the church Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.
DUNN FUNERAL HOME is handling interment arrangements.
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