Bernard Bertus

BERTUS, Bernard "Bernie" Sr., 76, of Highland Hills, Follansbee, died Sunday, August 23, 2009, at home.

He was born December 2, 1932, in Windsor Heights, W.Va., a son of the late Joseph and Bertha Matlon Bertus.

He was retired from Weirton Steel, where he worked from 1977-1992 as foreman of the strip steel department, and from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, where he worked from 1955-1977 as superintendent of the 80-inch hot mill. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Follansbee. He graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1950, and from West Virginia University in 1959 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He was also a member of the Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity, Follansbee, and the Knights of Columbus, Follansbee.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Peter, Joseph, Martin and William Bertus; and five sisters, Anna and Helen Bertus, Margaret Holvanisin, Philomena Byrnes and Barbara Puskas.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, JoAnn La Cross Bertus, whom he married January 2, 1954; a son, Bernard F. Bertus Jr. and his wife, Debra (Collier) of Parkersburg, W.Va.; three daughters, Theresa (Teri) McClure and her husband, Matthew, of Jacksonville, Fla., Susan E. Findling and her husband, Jeff, of Wellsburg and Brenda Kiely and her husband, Jeff, of Downington, Pa.; 11 grandchildren, Dr. Jeff Findling and Rachel, Michael Findling and Mindy, Seth Findling, Devon Bertus, Brooke Bertus, Beau Bertus, Bryce McClure, Tyler McClure, Jeffrey Kiely, Daniel Kiely and Will Kiely; and two great- grandchildren, Mykenzie and Jonas Findling.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 26, 2009, from 4-8 p.m. at Reasner Funeral Home, 1515 Charles St., Wellsburg. Funeral liturgy with Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2009, at the St. Anthony Catholic Church, Follansbee, with Father Pete Giannamore officiating. Interment will be private. There will be a Theta Chi Alpha memorial service Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 6 p.m., a Knights of Columbus service at 6:30 p.m. and a Catholic vigil service at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Brooke County chapter of the American Cancer Society, or to Valley Hospice, Rayland.

Condolences may be made at www.reasnerofwellsburg.com.