Major John Ervine Bertsch (USAF Retired), 90, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home, on Monday, October 25, 2021, after a brief illness with cancer.

John was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, July 20 ^th , 1931, to Daisy Mae (Wilson) and Ervine Bertsch. He graduated from high school, continuing to manage movie theaters before joining the United States Air Force.  He served for twenty years as a medical supply officer in hospitals in the US and overseas. He rose to the rank of major.   After retiring from the USAF, John embarked on a career that included serving in the same capacity for Ouachita Baptist Hospital in Hot Springs and then Doctor's Hospital in Little Rock.  For the final third of his career he chose to be a Sales Manager for UARCO, working in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

In his retirement years he enjoyed golf, which he played for 60 years (5 holes-in-one!), watching soccer and his four grandchildren, Taylor and Shelby Brandon and Hannah and Joseph Niemann.

He is preceded in death by his sister Judith Martinez of San Bernadino, California.

John is survived by his wife Nancy Ortman, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; daughter, Jiki Bertsch-Betts, son in law Dana Betts, of Kneeland, California; brother James Bertsch and his wife, Belinda of Northglenn, Colorado; and from Little Rock, Arkansas, stepdaughter Leslie Brandon, son in law Marty Brandon, stepson Jody Niemann and dear daughter in law Amy Niemann, who provided so much help and comfort during his final days.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 30 ^th , at Bella Vista Funeral Home, at 2258 Bella Vista Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.