Dale L. Bertsch

Dale L. Bertsch

Dale L. Bertsch, 97, of Bement, IL passed away peacefully in his sleep at 11:58 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, at The Villas of Holly Brook, Monticello, IL. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose quiet strength, soft smile, and dry humor endeared him to all who knew him. 

Dale was born on June 27, 1928, in Pana, IL, a son of John and Olga (Henschen) Bertsch. He grew up in Ohlman, IL, and came by his future vocation as a mechanic quite naturally by hanging around his dad's gas station/garage.  An Army veteran, Dale served two years in Germany at the end of the Korean War. He met Elizabeth Knollenberg on a blind date while on leave and they were married on June 20, 1953, in Pana, IL. They made their home in Pana until 1970 when they moved to Bement, IL. Dale and Liz enjoyed over 70 years of marriage until her passing on February 16, 2024. They had four daughters: Karen Rudisill of Marquette, MI, Marcia Bertsch of Wheaton, IL, Kay Lust of Bement, IL and Carol (Randy) Baker of Savoy, IL as well as 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Dale was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister, Mae Scott, and son-in-law, Howard Lust.

Dale worked as a mechanic for FS Services in Pana and Monticello for over 45 years before retiring in 1990. Dale and Liz spent their early years of retirement traveling (they visited all of the lower 48 states) and participated in several Redbird Missions to Kentucky, filled sandbags along the Mississippi River to help deter flooding, and were active members of the Bement United Methodist Church. With 6 grandchildren all participating in sports, Dale and Liz logged many miles following their games and cheering them on from the bleachers. 

Dale loved gardening (cherry tomatoes were his favorites), caring for his yard, and watching the sunsets from his kitchen window. He was stubbornly independent and he continued to mow his 2-acre yard well into his mid-90's, drove himself to appointments until age 96, and lived at home until almost 97 years of age. An avid University of Illinois fan, he followed Illini football and basketball closely, using an app on his iPhone to keep track of schedules and scores. 

A great storyteller, Dale loved to reminisce about his life. Diagnosed with cancer in 2021, he endured 3 years of chemotherapy. During that time, he reconnected with his six grandchildren via Zoom chats to share stories from his life. Dale's family admired, respected, relied on, learned from, and deeply loved this wonderful, decent man. He was an example to all and will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the staff of The Villas of Holly Brook and Town Square Hospice, to Jeannine Primmer from Carle Home Health, and to Jill Reed, friend of the family, for the compassionate care they provided to Dale.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 12 noon at the Bement United Methodist Church located at 348 S. Piatt Street, Bement, IL. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Michelle Perry will officiate. Burial will take place in the Bement Township Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Bement Food Pantry or the Bement United Methodist Church. 

Aaron and Susie Hinds of Hinds Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Bement, IL., are proud to honor the life of Dale L. Bertsch. "Our Family Is Here To Serve Your Family". Please visit our website at www.hindsfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.