Donald Bertsch

Don, or “Bertschie” passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025, at Elmwood Assisted Living, his home for the last 4 years. Don was born on May 30, 1938, to Edward L. and Helen F. (Holmer) Bertsch. On a snowy Thanksgiving Day on 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 the 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 9 classmates joined the US Army Reserves; they were some of the first to join the new USAR program. He served for 6 months on active duty at Ft. Knox and continued to serve in the Reserves in Fremont until his discharge in 1963.

Don graduated from Tiffin University in 1959 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 the 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 the Sandusky County Human Resource Association. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1286, the Fremont Elks Lodge #596, and the Fremont Eagles Aerie 712. Don was a former Board member of the Fremont Credit Union and was the catalyst in transforming it from the 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: fighting fires, fishing, and playing golf. Don joined the 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 the STFD as a Captain and past president, and in 2001, he was awarded The 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 held Monday, March 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 North Street, Fremont, Ohio, 43420. A memorial service will begin at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Fremont.

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

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