Michael Joseph Bargelski

Michael Joseph Bargelski was born February 10, 1944 in Erie, PA to Helen Erdely Bargelski and Raymond Joseph Bargelski and went home to be with his Savior on March 30, 2015. After graduating from Cathedral Preparatory for Boys, he decided to join the United States Navy and see the world, but he ended up on a nuclear submarine. He met his wife, Donna Helmick Bargelski, at the USO and they were married in 1965. They moved to New London, CT where he worked on the new construction of the U.S.S. Benjamin Franklin SSBN640. After the submarine was finished, Michael and the rest of the Benjamin Franklin crew traveled down thru the Panama Canal and over to Hawaii. Donna joined him there in April of 1966. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, Michael's assignments would allow him to be at port for three months' time, and then out to sea for three months. When the crew was out at sea, no contact was allowed outside the sub. In July of 1967, their son, Christopher John, was born, while Michael was out to sea. He returned six weeks later and met his son for the first time. Michael received orders to transfer to Idaho in 1968. He and Donna weren't quite sure where Idaho was, and once they looked it up on the map, they were even more confused why the navy would send a sailor to a landlocked state. A short time after arriving in Idaho, Michael became a Warrant Officer and began working for Admiral Rickover. In 1971 their daughter, Chanin Lee (Thompson) was born. Because of his skills and knowledge in the nuclear field the Admiral needed him to remain at the site, so Michael was able to stay in Idaho Falls, where he retired a Lieutenant Commander in 1982. From his childhood, Michael had a great interest in art. A few years before his retirement he decided to take up painting as a hobby. After his retirement he traveled to many art shows, received many awards, and was a Duck's Unlimited Artist of the Year for at least 5 different states. Michael and his wife had the opportunity to buy the store Artistry in Oak in Idaho Falls. He used this store to showcase his artwork as well as the art of many other western artists. During this time Michael also developed a passion for riding horses. He became an avid spokesman for Channel 8 and the Adopt a Trail program in the Targhee National Forest. Many people remember his famous closing line, "hope to see you on the trail sometime, enjoying the great outdoors, and remember, do your part to keep it great!" Although Michael enjoyed his hobbies, nothing was more important to him than his relationship with the Lord. He became an ordained Baptist minister and enjoyed serving as chaplain at the Bonneville County Jail for the last 15 years. Michael was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and again in November of 2014. After a valiant fight, he died from complications of the treatments. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Donna (Helmick), son Christopher, daughter-in-law Gigi, daughter Chanin (Thompson), son-in-law Jeff (Thompson), and several adopted family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Bargelski, father, Raymond Bargelski, and his sister, Susan Bargelski (Gunesch). Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Gethsemane Baptist Church on Friday, April 3, 2015. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment with full honor guard will be held at Taylor's Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the youth program at Gethsemane. Online condolences may be left at www.buckmillerhann.com.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Friday, April 3rd, 2015
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Service

When: Friday, April 3rd, 2015
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Interment

Location: Funeral Home
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