Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

BERTLES

Grant

Mitalo

Robert B. Bertles

Dec. 6, 1921 - Dec 10, 2002

Robert Biddle Bertles, 81, passed way on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Naples, Fla.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jeanne Grant Bertles. He also leaves three children, William (Darcy) Bertles of Lakewood, Colo., Barbara (Vito) Mitalo of Lake Barrington, Ill., and Robert C. (Tammy) Bertles of Granger, Ind.; and four grandchildren, Ryan, Blake, Brooks and Kelly Bertles of Granger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Earl and Irene (Pearson) Bertles.

Robert served in World War II in the USAAF as a flight officer, and carried his fascination with piloting airplanes to assist him in his automobile business after the war ended. He was an avid golfer, hunter and enjoyed skeet shooting. Robert attended Perkleman Prep School in Pennsburg, Pa., and the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Robert was a member of the South Bend Lodge Number 294, Orak Temple, the F.& A. Masons, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the B.P.O. Elks Lodge Number 235, the Morris Park County Club, University Club, and Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in South Bend.

Robert Bertles was well-known within the Michiana area for his enthusiastic involvement in the new and used automobile business. His philosophy was always to provide meticulous automobiles at a reasonable price, and maintain the highest level of ethics in all his business dealings. His first used automobile business, Midland Motor Company, was opened in 1947, located on Western Avenue in South Bend. On July 18, 1949, his wedding day to Jeanne Grant, he expanded the automobile business and moved it to a South Michigan Street location. In 1959 he opened a larger automobile business on the corner of Logan and Lincoln Way West in Mishawaka, Ind., to better serve the community, where he remained until 1967.

During March 1967, Bertles Volkswagen Incorporated was born when Robert was awarded the Volkswagen automobile franchise for the South Bend area. An interim location was established on Lafayette Boulevard and shortly thereafter, a larger, more modern and technically orientated facility was constructed on US 31 North. The business was renamed Bertles Imports Incorporated and the Mazda and BMW product lines were added.

In 1989 Robert sold the business and retired. He and Jeanne spent their summers in South Bend and winters in Naples, Fla. They became actively involved in the Naples Jazz Society. Robert was a quiet man, with a heart of gold, who dearly loved his wife and family and will be deeply missed.

Please join the family for a commemoration of his life at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635, 574/289-1000, where friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society of Indiana; to the Diabetes Society of Indiana; to Saint Michael and All Angels Church, 53720 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, IN 46635; and to Hospice of Naples, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.