Obituary of Lester Bud Bertolet

Bud Bertolet age 95 of Bloomington, formerly of Carlinville, was called home to heaven on Tuesday, August 25th at BroMenn Hospital in Normal, IL. As a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, it was only fitting that at the time of Bud's passing the Cards were playing on TV, and winning 1-0. He followed the Cardinals his entire life. "Bud" was born on December 20, 1913 in Hillsboro, IL to Sam and Nettie Bertolet, who preceded him in death, along with his sister Ruth Detrick. Bud married Bessie Mae Coleman on November 25, 1937 in Hillsboro, IL. He and his bride moved to Carlinville before WWII. She also preceded him in death on July 14, 2000, after 62 years of marriage. He served as an infantryman during WWII with campaigns of Italy and Southern France. August 15, 2009 marked the 65th anniversary of the US invasion of Southern France during World War II. During this campaign he endured 44 consecutive days for combat contact with the enemy. Bud was wounded during this time, which ended with the loss of one leg. Bud commented just last week how lucky he was to lose that leg. He got to come home alive. There were many soldiers that did not. He was 30 years old at the time and father of fifteen month old Sam. Bud managed the CC Bunn grocery store on the Square in Carlinville. Following WWII Bud went to business school in St. Louis then worked for the Macoupin Service Company (FS) for many years. Bud also worked as an accountant for the State of Illinois Highway Department, retiring in 1980. He was an avid Cardinal baseball fan; beginning in Hillsboro, IL in the early 20's where he kept score for the men at the Moose Lodge. The Lodge took him to his first game in St. Louis in 1926 where he shook hands with Grover Cleveland Alexander. From 1926 to 2006 he saw at least one game every year except for the war years of 1944-1945. During these 80 years he saw Dizzy Dean strike out 17 against the Chicago Cubs, Bob Gibson strike out 17 against the Detroit Tigers, Stan Musial hit 5 homers in a double-header and Albert Pujols in his first spring training. Bud was a lifetime member of the Carlinville United Methodist Church, Guy Baird American Legion Post #554, Carlinville Masonic Lodge, and Carlinville Lions Club, where he served as President in 1954. He served as an Alderman on the Carlinville City Council. He was an avid Carlinville High School sports fan and for many years organized trips for hundred of Carlinville kids to attend Cardinal baseball games through the Carlinville Lions Club. Sam and Jim would like to thank all the folks in Carlinville that have stayed in touch these last years while Bud lived in Bloomington. Carlinville is a special place. Survivors include sons Sam Bertolet of Clayton; MO and Jim Bertolet; wife Sherri of Bloomington, IL. Three Grandchildren; Kristi Rice; husband Bob; Joshua and Jeff Bertolet; brother Earl Bertolet of Peoria, IL and sister Cecile Saunders of St. Louis, MO. Funeral Information Visitation will be held Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville, IL. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at the Carlinville United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Sabo officiating. Burial will be in Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery Carlinville, IL with Guy Baird American Legion Post #554 providing military rites. Donations Information Memorials are suggested to Carlinville Public School Foundation or the Carlinville United Methodist Church.