Bertsch

Melvin Joseph Bertsch (Red), age 85, died peacefully on Dec. 13, 2024, at Austin Hospice Christopher House in Austin.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene Bertsch of Fayetteville and three children; Rhonda Vasquez and her husband Daniel Vasquez and their children, Seraya, Noah and Dax of Austin; Tammy Hatfield and her husband Tim Hatfield and their children, Jake and Jeb of Belvedere, Tenn. and Kevin Bertsch and his wife Sarah Bertsch and their daughter Hannah and her partner Cory Chester and great-granddaughter Taylen of Fayetteville, as well as his sister, Evelyn Malota of Fayetteville, and his brother Leon Bertsch of Sweeney.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Katherine Bertsch and his brothers, Bennie Bertsch and Daniel Bertsch as well as his sister Carolyn Easton.

He was born on June 22, 1939, in Frelsburg. He attended St. John’s Catholic school in Fayetteville and graduated from there in May 1956. He was drafted into the military in 1963 and served in the army until 1967. He was a proud veteran and was honored to serve his country.

He enjoyed serving his community for over 25 years as a meat-cutter at HEB in La Grange and made many friends along the way. Melvin was a great family man, loving father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, husband, friend and brother. He never met a stranger and cherished all interactions with people everywhere.

His laugh filled up the room. When you heard it, you automatically knew it was “Red” and had to laugh right along with him. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and processing meat in his “meat room” whenever he had wild game to work up for family and friends. We will always remember his kind soul, his sweet personality and the fact that he would “give the shirt off of his back” to anyone that asked. He loved his family dearly and always put them first. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

A visitation was held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Fayetteville prior to the Funeral Mass on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with family present at this time to receive friends. A Holy Rosary was recited at 12 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at 1 p.m. Burial followed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Fayetteville.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.