John J. Bertke

John J. Bertke, age 82, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, a former Celina resident, passed away on February 19, 2024, at AdventHealth Hendersonville.  John had been a life-long resident of Celina until 2001, when he and his wife, Jane relocated to North Carolina.

Born May 13, 1941, he was the son of the late Elmer H. and Elizabeth L. "Betty" (Steinbrunner) Bertke.

John and the former Jane Kennedy were united in marriage on October 5, 1978.  She preceded him in death August 6, 2020.

He is survived by their son and daughter-in-law: Eric and Melissa Bertke, and granddaughter, Kennedy Bertke, all of Spring Hill, Florida, his sister, Mary Evelyn Sudhoff of Celina, Jane’s identical twin sister, Ann Samek, of Mobile, Alabama, brother-in-law, Bob Guthridge of Cocoa Beach, Florida, and many nieces and nephews.  His brother-in-law, Barney Sudhoff, passed away on March 18th.

Jane's sister, Susan Guthridge, and a brother-in-law, David Samek, preceded him in death.   

A 1958 graduate of Celina High School, John served in the U.S. Army Reserve, and spent time on active duty at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

John began his career as a cattle buyer and hauler at the age of 16.  After enlisting in the Army Reserve and attending boot camp, he sold his cattle trucks and went to work for Vernon Schwaberow Livestock in rural Auglaize County.  He later worked for Pride of Lima packing house, and Lugbill Brothers Livestock in Archbold.  John had been employed at Producers Livestock in Wapakoneta, and transferred to Asheville, North Carolina, working there until the stockyards closed.  He then started his own business, John Bertke Livestock.  Active in the industry until the very end, John had just sent a load of cattle to the JBS packing house in Pennsylvania the week of his unexpected passing.  

He was a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Farm Bureau.

A very social person, John faithfully maintained relationships with his friends and family back in Ohio, as well as his new colleagues in North Carolina.  Visiting with friends and neighbors and their dogs, was his favorite pastime.  If he wasn't at his mountain home, John could be found at the "Dutch Cupboard", the family diner down the road, having coffee or breakfast with Roy, Scott, and the gang !

Visitation will be held at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina, on Wednesday, April 3rd, from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M., with Memorial Services to follow, beginning at 5:00.

Memorial Contributions in John’s memory may be made to any animal rescue group, or the Humane Society.

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