JOHN H. BERTRAM

Mr. John H. Bertram, age 69 passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 9, 2021.  He was born March 3, 1951 in Rugby, Tennessee the son of Nathan and Velma Martindale Bertram.   After finishing school John began a life long journey consisting of marriage, the birth of his children, employment in many fields, one of which was working in the foundry in Northern Indiana; rough grueling work that taught John positive values that he carried throughout the rest of his life.  Values like working for what you get and paying for what you get when you get it.  John did not believe in credit and never to the day he died had a credit card.  Working side by side in that foundry with a bunch of guys who were destined to spend the rest of their lives doing nothing else, John developed an appreciation for their struggles and the battles they faced on a day to day basis everyday of their lives.  John went on to further his education, especially when he found another employment endeavor; when a nursing opportunity presented itself, he completed nursing school, working locally at Healthmark Regional Medical Center, Chautauqua Health and Rehabilitation Center and North Okaloosa Medical Center.  When work schedules prevented him from attending some of his son’s baseball games, he got a CDL License and drove cross country gigs in order to create his own work schedule that allowed him to never miss watching one of his son’s games.  Then came the grandchildren; the loves of his life, his pure delightment in life.  Destined to spoil not only his grandchildren, but any children in whom he came in contact he relished spending quality time with them.  Any who knew John Bertram knew a man who saw nothing bad in any person, in fact, it was quite the opposite;   John was quick to defend any person others had something negative to say about and found good in every person with whom he came in contact which probably harks back to his foundry days when shoulder to shoulder he worked daily with such folks and knew first hand of their struggles.  John Bertram was a happy man, content with his life, appreciative for his children and grandchildren never forgetting the commandment of The Lord, “love ye one another”.

Among survivors are his children, Nathan and wife Deann, Etta and Sam and Jay and Kayla and Sherry.    His grandchildren, Kensley, Kayden, Kaeli, Kennedy, Otter, Henry, George, Beaudy and Slade.  The mother of his children Sarah and husband Bernie also survive.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in John Bertram's memory to Ronald McDonald House.  Services will be held Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. in Westside Baptist Church, 295 U.S. Highway 331 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida with Pastor Randy Nelson officiating.  The church will be open at 10:00 A.M.    Friends and family may go on line to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign the guest register at jerryevansfuneralhome.com