Barbara L. Bertke, 68, of Pioneer passed away Wednesday surrounded by her family at her home. She was born on June 5, 1946 in Celina, Ohio to Cyril J. and Pauline (Puthoff) Link. Barbara graduated from St. Henry Local High School in 1964. On May 1, 1965 she married Robert L. Bertke at St. Francis Catholic Church in Cranberry Prairie, Ohio and he preceded her in death on November 22, 2013.
After High School Barbara worked for Mersman Brothers in Celina for 10 years. She also worked for Allied Moulded Products in Bryan for 10 years. In 1983 Barbara became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montpelier, and was a member of the Rosary/Altar Society. Barbara enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and sewing. She loved to travel and had been to 48 states, missing only Alaska and Hawaii.
Barbara is survived by five children, Jennifer (John) Woenker of New Haven, IN, Joe (Sheila) Bertke of Farmer, OH, Don (Teresa) Bertke of Camden, MI, Debra (Michael) Traxler of Pioneer, and Cathy Bertke of Pioneer; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three sisters Carol (Vince, dec.) Schmidt of Union City, OH, Diane Jobe of Bloomdale, OH and Roseann Link of Findlay, OH; one brother Roger Link of New Westen, OH; four brothers-in-law, Tom (Kathy) Bertke of Celina, OH, Fred (Gerri) Bertke of New Knoxville, OH, Virgil (Jane) Bertke of St. Marys, OH, Randy (Kim) Bertke of Franklin, NC; seven sisters-in-law Pat (Ken) Bensman of New Bremen, OH, Bev (John) Froning of Lake City, TN, Karen (Fred, dec.) Schulze of Minster, OH, Joan (Mark) Baumer of Coldwater, OH, Joyce (Pat) Berger of Coldwater, OH, Connie (Eric) Seger of Ft. Loramie, OH and Pam (Jim) Simon of Troy, OH.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, one grandchild, John Robert Woenker, two sisters, Alice Jean Link and Patricia Link; and one brother Thomas Link.
A time to receive friends will be on Sunday, December 14th from 12-6pm at the Thompson-Geesey Funeral Home at 335 Empire Street in Montpelier. There will be a Rosary Service at 5:30pm at the funeral home. A mass will be on Monday at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montpelier, with Father Jim Halleron to officiate. Interment of ashes will follow the service at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer.
Donations may be made to Community Health Professionals Hospice of Williams County or Masses. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com
