Donald Bertsch Obituary

Donald Bertsch

Don, or "Bertschie" passed away peacefully Monday, February 24, 2025, at Elmwood Assisted Living, his home for the last four years. Don was born May 30, 1938, to Edward L. and Helen F. (Holmer) Bertsch. On a snowy Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1959, he married Jean A. Potter. Together they raised two children, Becky (Sean) McDevitt and David Bertsch. He was a proud grandfather of four, Sydney Bertsch, Andrew Bertsch, Katie (Patric) Carstens, and Meredith McDevitt; and great-grandfather of Eleanor and Charlotte. He was also "Unkie" to many nephews and nieces.

Along with his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, in 2016; and sister, Leona "Birdie" Laurer, in 2018.

Don graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1956. Prior to graduation, he and nine classmates joined the US Army Reserves; they were some of the first to join the new USAR program. He served for six months of active duty at Ft. Knox and continued to serve in the Reserves in Fremont until his discharge in 1963.

Don graduated in 1959 from Tiffin University with a degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, he was employed for the next 41 years by Ludlow Composites from 1959-2000, where he retired as Human Resource Manager. He enjoyed going to work every day.

As a young man, Don was very active in many local service organizations. He served as a past president and JCI Senator 9087 of the Fremont Jaycees, past president of the Fremont Exchange Club, past president of the Sandusky County Safety Council, and past president of Sandusky County Human Resource Association. He was also a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No.1286, the Fremont Elks Lodge No.596, and Fremont Eagles Aerie 712. Don was a former Board member of Fremont Credit Union and was the catalyst in transforming it from St. Joseph Credit Union to a Federal Credit Union, allowing members from the industrial and private sectors to join and gain financial security. Additionally, he was one of the first Lay Ministers at St. Ann's Catholic Church.

Besides his wife Jean, Don had a few other loves, such as fighting fires, fishing, and playing golf. Don joined Sandusky Township Fire Department in 1973 as a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. He was fortunate to have a job that allowed him to be on-call every weekday, and he felt grateful to be able to help people in emergencies. He served at STFD as a Captain and past president, and in 2001, he was awarded Fremont Exchange Club Firefighter of the Year. Although he retired from firefighting in 2013, Don was always ready to lend a hand at the annual chicken barbecue or spaghetti dinner fundraisers whenever needed. Don spent many years fishing for perch in Lake Erie and in the northern wilds of Canada and was an avid golfer for most of his life. In recent years, he was secretary of the Monday Morning Senior Golf League at Sycamore Hills. He enjoyed being with his buddies on the lake or the golf course, "shooting the breeze," telling jokes and laughing. He would say it was a life well-lived, and indeed it was.

Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2025, at Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 North Street, Fremont, Ohio, 43420. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Fremont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sandusky Township Fire Department, 2205 Oak Harbor Rd. Fremont, OH 43420.

To express online condolences, please visit: www.hermanfh.com.