Clifford L. Wertman

Clifford L. Wertman, age 84, of Gnadenhutten, passed away late Friday evening, April 10, 2009, in Union Hospital at Dover. Born at Dover, March 31, 1925, he was a son of the late Clifford J. and Florence M. Norman Wertman. Best known as Cliff to his family and friends, he attended school at both Zoar and Bolivar before studying with an Agricultural school at Carrollton. In 1943, Cliff, like many young men of the day, joined the United States Army. Cliff stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and went on to earn a Bronze Battle Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Metal and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon.Cliff returned to the Tuscarawas Valley and would marry Beverly A. Eichel on September 30, 1948, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in the Old Town Valley. For most of his life, Cliff worked as a self-employed truck driver, although he also earned a living and supported his family as a farmer and in insurance sales, retiring from his owner-operated rig in 1986. The Wertman’s have attended Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church, and Cliff was a lifetime member of the Midvale VFW, and a lifetime member of the Union Grange. He’ll also be remembered as a past member of the Tuscarawas Lodge # 59 F. & A. M. He leaves behind a family that includes his wife of sixty years, Beverly Wertman, of Gnadenhutten, and his three daughters; Cheryl (husband Tom) Korns, Chrystel (husband Dale) Korns, and Carol (husband Randy) Eiler, all of New Philadelphia. Cliff will be sadly missed by six grandchildren; Thomas J. Korns and his companion Brenda Willis, Tiona (husband Todd) Campbell, Dale (wife Leslie) Korns, Jestin (wife Erica) Korns, Heather (husband Mike) Miltenberger and Joshua Eiler. Seven great-grandchildren, as well as a sister; Reba (husband Ray) Stahl, and a brother-in-law; Carl (wife Gwen) Eichel, both of Dover, complete the family. Cremation is planned, and the family will gather to receive friends Saturday, April 25, between 10 and 11 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia, where Pastor Gregg Kelly will lead a memorial service celebrating Cliff’s life in the funeral home’s chapel at 11AM. Inurnment, with military honors, will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 37, Gnadenhutten OH 44629.