Bertha Geltz

Bertha H. Geltz

            Bertha Zaft Hall Geltz, formerly of Finleyville and New Eagle, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on November 16, 2017 at Paramount Senior Living at Bethel Park.  Bertha was born on October 20, 1922 in Pursglove, West Virginia, the eldest of 5 children to the late Edward O. and Helen S. (Ulijas) Zaft.  Bertha was the wife of the late Charles B. Geltz.

            After graduating from Trinity High School class of 1940, she went on to graduate in 1941 from the Secretarial Class at Penn Commercial College.  She worked for the U.S. Government in Washington, DC and the Chemical Warfare Department in San Jose Island, St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands.

            After settling in Pennsylvania, Bertha started working at a job she loved at Consolidation Coal Company in 1957 in the Patent and Legal Department as a Legal Secretary before retiring after 21 years in 1978.  Bertha enjoyed taking cruises and visiting new places and meeting new people.

            Survivors: She is survived by her youngest sister Margaret Smail of New Eagle, her children James M. (Celia) Hall, Robert J. Hall and Karen M. (Ron) Hamilton and her step-children Carlton (Cathy) Geltz and Joan Mutschler.  She was the loving grandmother to her four grandsons, Michael (Laura) Hall, Steven (Ning) Hall, Ryan (Sarah) Hamilton and Luke Hamilton.  She is also survived by her ten loving step-grandchildren Corey, Scott and Chris Geltz, Dale (Chris), Wade (Ivia) and Duane (Connie) Hensley, Susan (Michael) Rogers, Charles (Susan) Mutschler, Marcy (Johan) Van de Meulebroecke and Shelley (Chris) Davenport.  Also surviving are three great-grandchildren, eighteen step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren.  She will be lovingly remembered by her many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

            She was predeceased by her siblings Emma Buzzeo, Pauline Caserta and Edmund Zaft, her brothers-in-law Louie Buzzeo and Ralph Smail, her step-daughter Trudy Hensley and her nephews Terry and Jamie Caserta.

            Friends will be received from 2 P.M. until the time of services at 4 P.M. on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Kegel Funeral Home, Inc., Tim P. Kegel, supervisor, David P. Kegel, director, 3560 Washington Avenue, in Finleyville.  Private entombment in Mt. Royal Cemetery Mausoleum in Glenshaw.

            In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington City Mission at 84 W. Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.

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