Lewis Bertsch

January 21, 2021 at 10:18 p.m.

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Lewis Bertsch passed peacefully from this earth surrounded by family on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, at the home of Deb and Nick DiToro in York, Neb.

Lewis was born on Sept. 19, 1924, in Bourbon. His family moved to Warsaw when he was young, where he graduated from Warsaw High School in 1942.

He attended Indiana University for just a short time before he was drafted into the Navy as a signalman during World War II.  He spent his time in the war on the submarine USS Trepang patrolling the Pacific Ocean.

After the war, he went back to Indiana University to finish his accounting degree. Upon graduation, he returned to Warsaw and worked for Zimmer and Union Tool until he became an accountant at Dahms and Yarian.  He met Elaine McAllister while working at Union Tool, and they eventually married in 1957. They bought a house on Chapman Lake, where they enjoyed life to the fullest, raising a family and enjoying everything the lake had to offer. They loved the lake life, whether it was fishing, skiing or just entertaining friends and family at the lake.

He retired in 1985 when he and Elaine bought a motor home and traveled the country for many years. Their favorite place to go, especially in the winter, was Arizona, where they had a life away from home with many good friends and family.   

He was active in the Warsaw Church of Christ and an elder there for many years, Warsaw Lions Club for over 50 years, Chapman Lakes Conservation Club, and he was a Kosciusko County councilman.

He is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Gilbert and Nettie Bertsch; sister, Velma Jessop; brother, Charlie Bertsch; and his wife, Elaine Bertsch.  

He leaves behind a daughter, Deb DiToro and her husband Nick, of York, Neb.; and a son, Kent Bertsch and his wife Janet, of Granger. He had five grandchildren: Jessica (Tim) Smith, Troy (Sarah) DiToro, Nicole (Travis) Winterrowd, Eric Bertsch and Josh (Brooke) Bertsch. He also had eight great-grandchildren.

Lewis was a man of few words and had the driest sense of humor that you can ever imagine. His presence and his humor will be greatly missed by all.  

There will not be a public memorial service, but there will be a private family gathering at the lake this summer where both he and Elaine’s life will be celebrated.

Lewis was also a very practical man. He never threw away a piece of rope or board of wood that could possibly be used in the future. In light of that, the family asks that you just show acts of kindness to those around you and others in need by words or good deeds and give thanks to our ever loving and gracious Father in Heaven who welcomed Lewis home.

*****

Memorials may be given to York College, York, Neb.

Lewis Bertsch passed peacefully from this earth surrounded by family on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, at the home of Deb and Nick DiToro in York, Neb.

Lewis was born on Sept. 19, 1924, in Bourbon. His family moved to Warsaw when he was young, where he graduated from Warsaw High School in 1942.

He attended Indiana University for just a short time before he was drafted into the Navy as a signalman during World War II.  He spent his time in the war on the submarine USS Trepang patrolling the Pacific Ocean.

After the war, he went back to Indiana University to finish his accounting degree. Upon graduation, he returned to Warsaw and worked for Zimmer and Union Tool until he became an accountant at Dahms and Yarian.  He met Elaine McAllister while working at Union Tool, and they eventually married in 1957. They bought a house on Chapman Lake, where they enjoyed life to the fullest, raising a family and enjoying everything the lake had to offer. They loved the lake life, whether it was fishing, skiing or just entertaining friends and family at the lake.

He retired in 1985 when he and Elaine bought a motor home and traveled the country for many years. Their favorite place to go, especially in the winter, was Arizona, where they had a life away from home with many good friends and family.   

He was active in the Warsaw Church of Christ and an elder there for many years, Warsaw Lions Club for over 50 years, Chapman Lakes Conservation Club, and he was a Kosciusko County councilman.

He is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Gilbert and Nettie Bertsch; sister, Velma Jessop; brother, Charlie Bertsch; and his wife, Elaine Bertsch.  

He leaves behind a daughter, Deb DiToro and her husband Nick, of York, Neb.; and a son, Kent Bertsch and his wife Janet, of Granger. He had five grandchildren: Jessica (Tim) Smith, Troy (Sarah) DiToro, Nicole (Travis) Winterrowd, Eric Bertsch and Josh (Brooke) Bertsch. He also had eight great-grandchildren.

Lewis was a man of few words and had the driest sense of humor that you can ever imagine. His presence and his humor will be greatly missed by all.  

There will not be a public memorial service, but there will be a private family gathering at the lake this summer where both he and Elaine’s life will be celebrated.

Lewis was also a very practical man. He never threw away a piece of rope or board of wood that could possibly be used in the future. In light of that, the family asks that you just show acts of kindness to those around you and others in need by words or good deeds and give thanks to our ever loving and gracious Father in Heaven who welcomed Lewis home.

*****

Memorials may be given to York College, York, Neb.
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