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- [S927] Obituary.
Mr. Bertsch, 86, Charlotte, NC departed Planet Earth Monday evening October 30, 2017 at his home following a short illness.
Instead of public services, Mr. Bertsch requested a short graveside service at the Garden of Honor section of Crown Memorial Park Cemetery, Pineville, NC on Friday, November 3, 2017, with family and a few close friends and/or acquaintances that wish to attend. An opened casket viewing will be from 12 noon to 1:30 pm, at the McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, will precede that service. Departure from McEwen to the cemetery will follow.
Mr. Bertsch was a long-time adherent to the Christian Faith having become a believer in 1958. He's been a member of various Baptist Churches at different places of residence and served in various capacities including deacon and Sunday school teacher. The Bertsches moved to Charlotte in July of 2003 because their three children and grandchildren were already here. After locating in Charlotte, Mr. Bertsch and his wife became members of Covenant Baptist Church, transitioning later to Church of Charlotte where the membership resides.
Mr. Bertsch was born on March 30, 1931 in McPherson County, South Dakota, the youngest of 17 children. One brother, Norman, survives him. Leonard and his wife, Eleanor, were married on September 5, 1954. They were blessed with 4 children, the oldest of which died shortly after birth. Surviving him are the remaining 3 children, Karla Rhae Ericson, Colette Lynn Koester, and Roderick D. Bertsch along with their spouses, eight grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. All live in Charlotte.
Mr. Bertsch served in the U. S. Navy for 4 years during the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of Radioman 2nd Class. After military service, he returned to his civilian employment as a station agent with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. In 1966, after being asked by his Pastor whether he had ever considered full-time Christian service, he returned to college with the intent of proceeding to the North American Baptist Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota in preparation for full-time Christian service providing the Almighty confirmed a call for such. While in college, he served several small churches around Aberdeen, South Dakota as a lay preacher. By so doing, he was able to meet the family's economic needs while in school. A call for the full-time pastorate was never confirmed. Therefore, after graduation from college, he took employment with the Social Security Administration as a claims authorizer in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1972, he was transferred to Arlington, Virginia and became an Analyst with the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals. In 1977, the family purchased a small Christian Bookstore in Rockville, Maryland, which was intended to be only an avocation. Joyfully, the business prospered. In 1983, he resigned from Federal Employment and devoted full-time to the family business. This continued until 2002 when the business was sold. As stated earlier, the entire family relocated in Charlotte between July 2002 and July 2003. Mr. Bertsch often referred to his life's journey after having become a Christian in 1958 as an adventure.
In lieu of any flowers, memorials may be made to Church of Charlotte ministries.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.
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1931 - 2017 (86 years)