Merlin B. Bartels, 83, of Belmont, died on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 at Lancaster Care Center.  Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Platteville.  Father Bernard Rott officiated.  Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery, Belmont.  Friends called from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday in Platteville, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Merlin was born on Oct. 29, 1929 in Belmont, the son of Herman and Bertha (Heins) Bartels.  Full obituary in the November 29, 2012 issue of the Republican Journal.