Roy K. Bertelmann, 94, of Saginaw passed away suddenly on March 23, 2021. He was born October 1, 1926 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Christian and Anna Nepaa Bertelmann. He was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry at the age of 18, three years after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the age of 19, he transferred to the Army Air Corp, and served as a control tower operator in Hawaii, Kwajalein, Guam, and Japan.
Roy was introduced to his lifemate, Velma Ruth Cleaver, by her brother Aaron who was serving in the Air Corp with him and they married on February 7, 1948. They recently celebrated their 73rd anniversary at Legacy Oaks of Azle, their latest place of residence.
Roy continued in service to his country as an electronic specialist until he was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of Master Sergeant. His tours of duty during those years included France, Germany, Greece, North Africa, Turkey, Pakistan, Australia, and several stateside USAF bases, sometimes alone on special assignment, but usually with the entire family.
Upon retirement from the military, Roy lived in Goleta, CA where he served in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept. until 1984. Then he and Velma moved to Edmond, OK where he drove a school bus for several years. Later they lived in Clinton, MS before moving to Saginaw. He was a member of the Saginaw Methodist Church and a member of “The Walk” Church while residing at Westmore Senior Living. Then in 2020, they moved to Legacy Oaks.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, by his only sibling Harold, and by one great-grandson, Chance. He is survived by his wife Velma and their children: Reva (Dan) Binning of Casa Grande, AZ, Alton (Nancy) Bertelmann of Lakeland, FL, and Jim (Faye) Bertelmann of Saginaw; 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 10:00 am, Saturday, March 27, 2021 followed by the Service: 11:00 am at Biggers Funeral Home in Lake Worth. Burial will follow at the Saginaw Cemetery. Masks are required at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to “The Walk” Church.