Stephen Gerald Ertle, 69, of Avella Road, Avella, died at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 1998, in Washington Hospital, after an illness of a year and a half. Mr. Ertle was a member of Central Assembly of God Church. He was a graduate of Avella High School and was last employed as a foreman for the state Department of Transportation for 11 years. Mr. Ertle was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with more than 25 years of service, retiring October 31, 1973, with the rank of chief master sergeant. He served in Korea, Europe, Vietnam and the Philippines. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, ROAK Presidential Unit Citation, RVN Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Philippine Presidential Citation and the National Defense Service Medal. On March 2, 1969, he married Marilyn Ann Wainscott Ertle, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Stephen G. Ertle Jr. of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Lorna A. Danko of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mary Edith Ertle of Pittsburgh; a sister, Dorothea L. Marks of Washington; three nephews, three great-nephews and two great-nieces. Deceased is a sister, Helen Holmendy. Copyright ©1998 Observer Publishing Co.Last updated Saturday, September 26, 1998Stephen Gerald Ertle
Decorated U.S. Air Force veteran
He was born June 27, 1929, in Avella, a son of Stephen and Mary Edith Silvers Ertle.