Mary Alice Bertke, age 96, of Celina, passed away Sunday morning, June 11, 2017 at Celina Manor.

Born on July 6, 1920 in Coldwater, Ohio, the daughter of Julius and Eleanor (Lucking) Bertke. On January 25, 1941 in Coldwater, Mary Alice married Le Roy Bertke, who passed away on July 25, 1973.

Mary Alice and Le Roy were the parents of four children: Bonnie (& Robert) Francis and Richard "Rick" (& Janice) Bertke, both of Celina. Two sons are deceased, Ronald Bertke passed away in 1985 and Larry David Bertke in 2013. Other family members are: daughters-in-law: Ruth (& Don) Lupton and Betty Bertke. Mary Alice's extended family includes thirteen grandchildren: Ronnie, Robin, Ryan, Deb, Doug, Dan, Josh, Jared and Jordan Bertke, Dewey, Scott, Jeff and Brittany Lehman and Stephanie Hartnagel, four step grandchildren: Rick, Julie, Scott and Jennifer Francis, nine great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, and two great great granddaughters.

Mary Alice was preceded in death by a sister, Helen (& Ray) Wenning, a brother, James (& Marita) Bertke, two grandsons: Chris Lehman and David Bertke, her parents-in-law: Rudolph & Lena (Wint) Bertke, brothers & sisters-in-law: Earl & Marge Bertke, Ralph & Annie Bertke, Alice & Alvin Bruggeman, Thelma & Wilbur Bruns and Denny & Ruthie Bertke.

Mary Alice attended Coldwater Schools for eleven years and graduated from St. John's High School in Maria Stein. After working a short time at Buckeye Overall in Coldwater, Mary Alice retired after 25½ years of service at Reynolds & Reynolds in Celina.

Active in many religious organizations, Mary Alice was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, the Altar Rosary Society, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Resurrection Choir, and the parish sewing circle at the Church. For many years she had been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John in Coldwater.

Also active in community organizations, Mary Alice had been past president of Celina Eagles Lodge #1291 Auxiliary, served as pianist at Celina Moose Lodge #1473 and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5713 and American Legion Post #210 Auxiliaries in Celina. A founding member of the Sunshine Singers in Celina, Mary Alice served for a time as director of the group, whose members enjoyed singing at area nursing homes and events.

Mary Alice loved fishing, traveling and bowling. She also did many types of needlework, crochet, tatting, needlepoint, quilting and embroidery. Other pastimes were playing cards and Bingo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, June 14 at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, with Fr. Ken Alt, C.PP.S., presiding. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Celina.

Calling Hours are 2:00-8:00 p.m.,Tuesday, June 13, and from 9:15-10:15 A.M on Wednesday, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be expressed at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.