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BORN
1944
DIED
2021
Bernard Bertke Obituary
Hillsboro - Bernard J. Bertke Jr, of Hillsboro, Ohio passed away on February 26th, 2021 in West Chester, OH surrounded by family. He was 76 years old.
Bernard was born in August of 1944 to Bernard J. Bertke Sr, and Jane Bertke (Nee Fogarty). He attended St. Patrick's Grade school in Northside and was a graduate of Roger Bacon High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served two tours in Vietnam.
Bernard was an avid sailor and boating enthusiast for most of his life. He enjoyed sailing on Rocky Fork Lake with his best friend David Carson (Nancy), and teaching his grandsons how to sail. It was always a good time when you spent "A Weekend at Bernie's". He also enjoyed spending time with his life long friends as an original member of the GoodTimers Athletic Club.
Always a devoted father, brother, grandfather, and friend, Bernard was always the life of the party. He had a knack for lifting people's spirits with his sense of humor, or breaking out into a random "Northside Cha cha". His magnetic and happy-go-lucky presence will be greatly missed.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Jane Bertke, and his sister Patricia Osfeld. He is survived by his daughter Kara (John) Critzer, his grandsons Brody, Cale, Knox, and Henry Critzer. His siblings Susan Cox, Janis Desserich, Michael (Mary Beth) Bertke, Brian (Sarah) Bertke, John (Monika) Bertke, and Jane (Larry) Howard. Nieces and nephews Susan Jane , David, and Ethan Osfeld, Jerome (Carol) Desserich, Dawn (David) Wolterink, Jim Cox, Eileen (Troy) Borgman, Kathleen (Thom) Barker, Margaret (Josh) Nelson, Patrick Bertke, and many great - nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Gailey VFW post 7340 on Saturday, May 15th from 1pm to 6pm. Donations in his memory can be made to the Goodtimers Athletic Club and to the Rocky Fork Sailing club.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernard Bertke
4 Entries
Mary Graf Gick
April 3, 2021
BJ was an old friend going all the way back to St. Pat's. Ran into him occasionally and he never failed to make me laugh. Just and all around nice guy,
Michelle Bosse
April 1, 2021
Kara, he looks like a movie star in this picture. What a beautiful head of hair!
Janet Nye
April 1, 2021
Omgosh! I’m saddened to read of BJ’s passing! He was my childhood friend at Clovernook Country Club and many years later we hooked up again playing golf and hanging out. My condolences to his family.
Janet Altenbach Nye
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