Bertie Utterback

Miss Roberta F. "Bertie" Utterback, age 91, of Greenville, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Monday evening, May 1, 2006 at the Long Term Care Unit of Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Campus, Greenville. The daughter of Bart & Emma (Maxwell) Utterback, she was born on July 29, 1914 in Brimson, Missouri. Bertie graduated from NorthWest State University in Maryville, Mo. and began a teaching career that spanned 48 years. She had taught in public schools in Missouri, Denver, Colorado, Saginaw, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, until accepting a position with the Ohio State University where she was an associate professor of education for 35 years, retiring in 1979. Bertie was a charter member of the BU chapter of PEO Sisterhood, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Pi Lambda Theta of Central Ohio, a life member of the Ohio State Retired Teachers and the Ohio State University Faculty organizations, and the Alumni Association of University School. An extensive traveler, Berties travels took her throughout the United States, Europe, and even to Russia. She was also an avid antique collector, especially delighting in pressed glass pieces. Two years ago, she moved to Greenville and made her home with her sister Lois, until poor health necessitated a move to Green Acres Retirement Living where she spent the last four months. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Marie Doherty; and two brothers, Harmon Utterback and Vernon Utterback. Surviving are two sisters, Lois U. Beal of Greenville, Mich., and Lorene F. Pederson of Hillsboro, Oregon.; two nieces, DeAnna Phillips of Hillsboro, Oregon, and Karen Utterback of Chicago, Ill.; three nephews, Michael Pederson of Edmonds, Wash., Mark Pederson of LaConnor, Wash., and Victor C. Beal, Jr. of Riverdale, Md.; five grand nephews and three grand nieces; two cousins, Grace Brown of Trenton, Mo., and Minerva Brown of Gilman City, Mo.; a special friend and caregiver, Marsha Sexton of Sidney; and several dear friends and colleagues. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bertie Utterback, please visit our flower store.