Obituary of Charles Edward Bertsch

Charles Edward Bertsch, age 89, died on March 9, in Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham, North Carolina. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Gilbert and Nettie Bertsch. He married June, his wife of 67 years, in 1943. He was an Army veteran who fought for several years in the Pacific theater during World War II. He and June lived in Warsaw, Indiana, for many years until moving to Durham to be closer to their daughter and grandson. He and June founded Bertsch Vending Company in 1948 and owned it until selling in 2009. Charles was active in the National Automatic Merchandising Association, serving as Chairman of the Board in 1976; and was chairman and charter member of the Board of Governors of the Indiana Vending Council. He was a dedicated citizen of his community and a member of various organizations, including the Rotary, Shrine, Masons, and the United Methodist Church. He received many accolades, including being named "Man of the Year" by the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce in 1981, "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Ernst and Young in 2001, and the "Man of the Century" by the Indiana Vending Council in 2000. Along the way he found time to run a fertilizer company, participate in the building of the Holiday Inn, run the Wagon Wheel Playhouse, and become part owner of a paper cup factory in South Carolina. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and would probably want to be most remembered for starting a charitable foundation to help those who have less. He is survived by his daughter, Dianne Leslie Bertsch; his grandson, Jordan Christopher Shamp; and his granddaughter-in-law, Mindy Leigh Shamp. There will be a service in Warsaw, Indiana, sometime in the future. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army, Post Office Box 175, Warsaw, Indiana, 46581. Online condolences may be made at www.walkersfuneralservice.com