Dr. Eugene F. Bertler, age 71, of 2199 N. 8th St., Manitowoc, died Friday morning, February 28, 1997, at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 3, 1997, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rev. William Zimmer will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial at Calvary Cemetery, Manitowoc. Military Graveside Rites will be accorded by Ott-Oas V.F.W. Post #659 and Drews-Bleser American Legion Post #88 at 2 p.m. Monday in the Calvary Mausoleum Chapel.
Eugene was born January 5, 1926, son of the late George and Johannah Engeldinger Bertler. He was a 1944 graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School. On July 1, 1944, he entered the United States Navy serving aboard the U.S.S.Westpoint during World War II being discharged May 19, 1946. He was a graduate of Northern Illinois College of Optometry and was self employed as an optometrist in Manitowoc for forty years, retiring in 1992. He married the former Leila Cappaert on October 24, 1953, at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, Manitowoc. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a third and fourth degree member of Manitowoc Council #710 Knights of Columbus, Otto-Oas V.F.W. Post #659 of Manitowoc, Drews-Bleser American Legion Post #88 of Manitowoc, the Lakesore Optometric Society and the U.S.S. Westpoint Reunion Association. Dr. Bertler was an active volunteer in vision screenings for the Hunter’s Safety Program throughout Manitowoc County. He was given a life membership in the Manitowoc County Fish and Game Protective Association in January of 1990.
Survivors include his wife, Leila, Manitowoc; three sons, and daughters-in-law, Dr. David (Lisa) Bertler, Louisville, Ky., Mark (Barbara) Bertler, Grayslake, Ill,. Dan (Ann) Bertler, Oregon, Wis.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel (Tom) Glennon, Wauwautosa, Wis., Judy (Bob) Heise, Woodville, Wis., Ann (Dave) O’Mara, Lanesboro, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Eric, Kate, and Anna Heise, Morgan, Matthew, Justine, Emme, and Caroline Bertler; his mother-in-law, Olive Cappaert, Manitwoc; one sister, Marie Cannon, Manitowoc; two brothers and four sisters-in-law, Don (Betty) Bertler, Millersburg, Ohio, Raymond Bertler, Englewood, Fla., Catherine Bertler, Green Bay, Helen Bertler, Mishicot, Esther Bertler, Maniotwoc; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include Donna (Rudy) Janota, Bartlett, Ill,. Don (Karon) Cappaert, Maple Grove, Minn., Jean (Jack) Lally, Appleton; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends survive. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Edward Cappaert; three sisters, Frances Bertler, Rosella Bertler, Imelda Gruber; five brothers, Ralph, Walter, Gerald, Vincent, and George Bertler.
Relatives and friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at th Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Manitowoc, and on Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. There will be a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Sunday led by Father Bill.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the Oncology Unit at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc Clinic Oncology staff, Dr. Yetter and Dr. Barylak.
Herald Times Reporter, March 1, 1997 P. A2