John Bartel, an accomplished organist who started a paper shredding company, died Wednesday from complications related to lung cancer. He was 65.

Mr. Bartel, of Monroeville, grew up in Stowe and started playing organ in 1963. In 1966, he formed his own group, John Bartel and the Soul Masters, a band featuring Lou Stellute, Larry O'Brien and Jeff Martin.

Mr. Bartel eventually changed the name of the group to the John Bartel Thing and recorded two albums, one for Capitol and the other for Perception records, as well as two singles for Solid State Records. The group opened for a number of headliners, including Jefferson Airplane.

In the early 1980s, Mr. Bartel started Ameri-Shred Corp. in Monroeville.

In 1986, Mr. Bartel and his wife, Cherie, opened All Safe Document Destruction Service Inc. The company provided shredding services to such companies as Mellon Bank, National City and UPMC.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bartel is survived by four children, Jon of Monroeville, Brenda Petrilena of Monroeville, Jarret of Indianapolis and Nick of Monroeville. He also is survived by his parents, John and Elizabeth Bartel of McKees Rocks; two brothers, Tom of Indianapolis and Charles of Coraopolis; and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at Wolfe Memorial Chapel, Forest Hills Chapel, 3606 Greensburg Pike.

A Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Bernadette Church, Monroeville.