Lawrence L. "Larry" Bertsch

away on Wednesday, December 24,2014.

Larry was born in Harvey, North Dakota on December 3, 1938 to parents George and Eva

Bertsch. He graduated from Harvey High School in North Dakota and received his

Bachelor's Degree from Charter Oak College in Connecticut. Larry joined the US Air Force

in August of 1956 and had many successes, both professionally and personally over the

years. Duty stations during Larry's US Air Force service included Westover Air Force Base

(MA), Minot Air Force Base (NO), Chanute Air Force Base (IL), Eglin Air Force Base (FL),

and Osan Air Force Base (Korea). Larry retired from the US Air Force as a Master Sergeant

after 21 years of dedicated and proud service to his country.

Following his retirement from the US Air Force, Larry worked for Combustion Engineering

and United Technologies (Hamilton Standard) in Windsor, Connecticut. He and his family

eventually transferred down to the Florida in 1983. Larry continued to work as a

Manufacturing Manager in Brevard County (Stromberg Carlson, ITT, Fujitsu America, and

Dictaphone) until his retirement, at which time he turned his attention to his third career, real

estate, working with the Merritt Island office of the Century 21 /Paradise Palm real estate

office.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Lillian (Samborski), his son William Bertsch

(wife Lyn) of San Pedro, California, his daughter Suzanne Bertsch Gibson (husband Curtis)

of Kingsland Georgia, and his grandson P. Morgan Jared also of Kingsland, Georgia. Larry

was preceded in death by his eldest son, Larry Jr and his older brother Ed Bertsch of Grand

Forks, North Dakota. He also leaves behind his two sisters, Kathryn Keller of Sydney,

Nebraska and Mary Bickler of Orange County, California, as well as many beloved nieces,

nephews, and extended family members including John and Cheryl Eckert and William and

Elaine Samborski.

Known to his family as "Nice Guy Larry", he will be missed by many, as he loved his friends

and family dearly. Larry was a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island,

Florida, a member of the Cape Canaveral Council Navy League, and a member of the

American Legion, Post 359.

While he was a proud New England Patriot and Minnesota Viking fan, Larry loved all sports

and enjoyed the game, whether it was football, basketball, baseball, or golf. He enjoyed

traveling with his wife Lillian, whether it be by land, air or sea. Larry loved life and he never

met anyone that he didn't consider a friend. He will be missed.

Calling hours will be 4-8 pm Sunday December 28, 2014 at Wylie-Baxley Merritt Island Funeral Home, 1360 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, Florida 32953. A Rosary service will be held at 7pm Sunday also at the funeral home chapel. A Funeral Mass will take place at 2pm Monday December 29, 2014 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 1940 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, Florida 32953.

Donations may be given to the Disabled American Veterans organizations.

Arrangements under the direction of Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, Merritt Island, FL.