James Barthel Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 16, 2018, 1:30 pm at St. Gabriel Catholic Church (St. Gabriel, La.) for James Leroy Barthel Jr., 58, who passed away February 10, 2018 at his residence. Reverend Gregory Daigle will conduct the funeral services, and interment will follow in the St. Gabriel Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 5:30 - 9:00 pm at Walters Funeral Home, and resume Friday morning at St. Gabriel Church from noon until time of mass.
Survivors include his two sisters, Geralyn Barthel Kelley and her husband Ronald of Cullman, Ala., and Joelle Barthel Schultis and her husband Eric of New Orleans; his nephews and nieces Robert Kelley (Amanda), James Kelley (Dr. Leann), Jonathan Schultis (Nicole), Jessica Schultis (Mike), Dr. Jamie Schultis, Michael Schultis (Sara), and one grand nephew, Warren Carter Kelley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Therese Velma Barthel Jeffirs and James Leroy Barthel, Sr., both of Sunshine La.
James was born in Baton Rouge and spent his formative years in St. Gabriel, La. After attending Sunshine High School, he moved to Lafayette to study accounting at the University of Southwest Louisiana. He continued to attend school and travel back to St. Gabriel to take care of his mom and his dad, who was disabled due to heart disease. His dad passed away in April 1979, after a six-year battle with heart disease. He then continued to assist in the care of his mother until her death in 2012. James passed away after a long battle himself with heart disease and progressing renal failure. He remained in Lafayette for 31 years, until moving to Youngsville in 2012, when he finally was able to own his dream home, where he lived the rest of his life. He was a wonderful and caring son, brother and friend to so many.
Words of condolence may be expressed online at www.waltersfh.com.
Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70507; 337.706.8941 is in charge of arrangements.