Louis Paul Bertke, 83, 6332 Fort Recovery-Minster Road, Cassella, died at 5:05 p.m. Jan. 26, 2009, at his home.

He was born Jan. 14, 1926, in Cassella, to Leo and Anna Lindhaus Bertke. On June 20, 1953, he married Evelyn Hartings who survives.

Also surviving are five sons, Kenneth (Angela), David (Jane) and Michael (Renee), all of Maria Stein, Roger (Teresa) of St. Marys, and Timothy (Terri) of Minster; two daughters, Barbara (Jerry) Arling, Minster, and Mary (Gregg) Barhorst, Maria Stein; two brothers, Wilbur (Anna) of St. Henry and Ernest (Rita) of Centerville; a sister, Norma (Norb) Otting, Minster; 27 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Daniel; a grandson, Joshua; two sisters, Euleta (Werner) Bensman and Mary Ann Bertke; and 4 brothers, Leander, (Alvera), Cyril (Dorothy), Dennis and Marinus.  He was a retired farmer and a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, the Men's Holy Name Society of the church and the Catholic Knights of America, all of Cassella. He graduated in 1944 from St. John's High School, Maria Stein, and served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Gene Schnipke officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

Condolences can be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.

Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Hospice.