Mary R. Bertke

MARY R. (MADER) BERTKE, age 92 was called to her final reward and reunited into the arms of her loving husband on January 9, 2018. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard J. Bertke, her parents Otto and Anna (Schaeper) Mader, and sisters Clarina Steineman, Delores Clement, Kathryn Schumacher, Gladys Mader, Jo Anne Mader, and Anna Marie Mader, brother John Mader, and son-in-law Kenneth J. Long. Mary is survived by sisters Stella Flaherty and Grace Monnin, sister-in-law, Sharon Mader and sister-in-law Rita (Bertke) Eifert; daughters Linda (William) Swinderman, Rebecca Long, Barbara (David) Peters, and Annette (Mark) Obringer; sons Alan (Christy Kirker) Bertke, Edward (Cheryl Barkalow) Bertke, and John (Julie Gentile) Bertke; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a devoted mother and also very independent. Her greatest source of enjoyment by far was her family. Mary had a great sense of humor and was tenacious, committed, and wise. What a beautiful difference one single life made. Her presence did, and her absence now will impact so many. She was a long-time member of St. Anthony Parish and worked at St. Anthony School for over 30 years. The Parish honored her by naming the school library/AV room the MARY BERTKE LIBRARY. She had a passion for playing cards and was a member of numerous card clubs. She also loved working jigsaw and crossword puzzles evidenced by her always having a jigsaw puzzle in progress on the kitchen table to share with family and friends who stopped by to visit. Family and friends will be received Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road, Dayton, Ohio from 2-5 p.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am on Monday, January 15, 2018 at St. Anthony Church, 820 Bowen Street, Dayton, Ohio. Interment in Calvary Cemetery In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony Parish. The family does wish to thank the nursing staff and the aides at 10 Wilmington Place and Hospice of Miami Valley for their loving care.