Morris Bartling

Morris Bartling, 89, of Chandler, Arizona

Morris Bartling, 89, originally of Ackley, Iowa, passed away August 31, 2026, in Chandler. He moved to Arizona in 1960 and was drafted into the Army. After the Army he went back to Iowa. When the first snow flew, he said, “Had enough of this. Going back to Arizona.” He spent the rest of his life here. Morris and Ruth met in Arizona and were married February 11, 1966, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

For more than 65 years, Morris made his living in auto parts. He spent 40 years at Lloyd’s Complete in Chandler and another 25 and a half years working alongside his family at Bartling Enterprise in Queen Creek. He was the man behind the counter — the one who knew the parts, the customers, and the stories that came with both.

He could chew you out over a missing part and still be friends when it was over. When the warehouse didn’t have what he needed, he’d ask them if it was a good place to start a warehouse. Direct. Quick-witted. No-nonsense. And the kind of counterman people kept coming back to see.

Away from the shop, Morris loved Country Thunder weekends, the Elks Lodge, and his church camps. He loved to watch his son Scott drag race and his son Kevin off-road race. His New Year’s Eve gatherings could bring 150 people and were known for his famous German pancakes, Speckendicken — everybody liked them. He was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler, where he served on the property committee for more than 30 years and as camp host for the church camps — including the unforgettable turkeys on the grill.

He will be remembered by family, friends, coworkers, fellow church members, and the many customers who knew the man behind the counter.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons Kevin (Renee) and Scott (Shana); grandchildren Shawnee (Alex), Kelly, and Trent; great-grandson Remy; sister Maxine Dass (Kenny); brother Jim Bartling (Nan); and sister Linda Wilson (Stan).

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie Street, Chandler, AZ 85225.