Charles "Charlie" Henry Bertels, 85, of East Alton, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton. He was born Oct. 10, 1937, at home in Dorsey, to William D. and Minnie P. (Johnson) Bertels. He and Norma Miller eloped to Hernando, Miss., on May 3, 1958. This year they celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Charlie chose a different route than the family farm. He graduated from Bunker Hill High School at the age of 16 and later served in the Army Reserves at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. In his earlier years, Charles worked for Alton Brick Co. and later Omark Industries before finding his niche in real estate. He was a licensed agent, broker and an appraiser, working for many agencies over a 50-year career – Wooff Realty, Don Bryant Gallery of Homes, Ira E. Berry, Coldwell Banker Paslay Realtors and most recently Landmark Realty. He still had an active brokers license and contemplated retiring next April. In 1980, Charlie even delved into his own real estate company, Future World Realty. He also served as a past president of the Alton-Wood River Board of Realtors. He taught Sunday School, umpired Khoury League and served many years as a Madison County Election Judge. He selflessly donated many liters of blood until he was no longer able to. He enjoyed grilling, making homemade ice cream and he never missed a Cardinals game.

He is survived by his four children, Dale (Lynette) Bertels, Dana (Lisa) Bertels, Darryl Bertels and Angela Wright (Ray); grandchildren, Melinda (Ricky) Ludwig, Drs. Kyle (Bo) Wright, Nicholas (Becca) Bertels, Ethan (Tiffany) Wright, Megan Wright (Hadley) and Lena; two great-granddaughters; a step-grandson, Billly DeConcini; two step-great-grandsons; and two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Bertels and Linda Miller. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; parents, William and Minnie Bertels; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Aden and Virginia (Grizzle) Miller; brother-in-law, Aden "Bill" Miller; siblings, Leonard (Edna May) Bertels, Lena (Ed) Rust, Robert Bertels; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Bertels.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Aug. 31, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Funeral services follow at 12 noon on Thursday at the church. Burial will be at Emmaus Lutheran Cemetery in Dorsey.

Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church and School in Bethalto. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at http://www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill is in charge of arrangements.