Gerald William Bartig, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Born April 19, 1937, in Syracuse, NY, he was a member of the Army National Guard for 6 years and the City of Syracuse Fire Department for 20 years. He moved to Huntsville, AL in 1980 where he was an insurance claims adjuster and had his own business as an Independent Fire Investigator. He was a graduate of the Insurance Institute of America and Calhoun Community College, and a member of both the International Association of Arson Investigators and the Alabama Association of Arson Investigators. An avid history buff, he was a longtime member of the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Florilla Bartig; his father and stepmother, William and Viola Bartig; and his sister, Dolores Schuhmann.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon; daughters, Jarel Bartig, of Chillicothe, OH, and Wendy Vickers, of Huntsville; grandson, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Vickers, of Valley, AL; step-granddaughter, Megan Vickers, of Spring, TX; sisters-in-law, Debora McMullin (Buddy), of Huntsville, and Virginia Bell (Bo), of Collierville, TN; 2 nieces; 2 great-nieces; a great-nephew; and his beloved calico cats, Cinnamin and Ruby.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, 2812 Johnson Rd., Huntsville, AL 35805 or Forgotten Felines, PO Box 60, Capshaw, AL 35742.
