ANDREW "Andy" DELBERT BERT, JR., 88, of Chester, Illinois passed away at 4:51 am, Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home, Chester, Illinois. Andy was born to the late Andrew J. and Selma D. (nee Welge) Bert on July 14, 1926 on a farm east of Chester, Illinois. Andy was married to Elsie M. LaBruyere on June 21, 1947 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Prairie du Rocher, Illinois; she survives. In his earlier years, he had worked at the International Shoe Factory in Chester and then Welge Brothers Funeral Home and Furniture Company in Chester and Steeleville. He was an excellent carpenter, drove an ambulance and could fix most anything. After 23 years at Welge's, Andy worked at Buena Vista Bank as a loan officer and later he sold cars for McConkey Motors in Chester. Andy was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester Illinois and had served as Treasurer of the Holy Name Society, Cemetery Board for 18 years and the President for the PTO at the school. He was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus #3790 in Chester, Illinois, V.F.W. Post #3553 in Chester and a Life Member of the American Legion Post #487 in Chester. He was a WWII Army Veteran, serving from 1944-46. Andy and Elsie enjoyed camping, dancing and traveling, especially to Hawaii, Bermuda and Spain. For the last 10 months, Andy resided with Elsie at R&R Country Care in Ruma, Illinois. Survivors Wife Elsie Bert 3 Children Larry (Karen) Bert Chester, IL Sharon (Dan) Ohlau Chester, IL Gary (Jacqueline) Bert Marshfield, MO 2 Sisters Rudelle Gross Steeleville, IL Verdelle Meyer Steeleville, IL 5 Grandsons Shawn (Lori) Bert Ellis Grove, IL Jason (Elizabeth) Ohlau Red Bud, IL Aaron (Kristy) Bert Chester, IL Craig (Heather) Ohlau Edwardsville, IL Kurt Ohlau (Special Friend Sonya Hepp) Cerro Gordo, IL 2 Step Grandchildren Suzette (Mike) Yount Fredericktown, MO Kevin (Brandy) Burton Marshfield, MO 11 Great Grandchildren and 6 Step Great Grandchildren Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends Survive Preceded in death by: Parents and 1 Brother - Gerald Bert Funeral Mass: 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 31, 2014 St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Very Reverend Eugene H. Wojcik, V.F. Interment: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Chester, Illinois Visitation: Tuesday - 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday - 7:30 am - 9:45 am Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Memorials: St. Mary Catholic Church or School
