George R. Bortz

George R. Bortz 89 of S. Richard St., Bedford, died Wednesday January 23, 2008 at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital.  He was born January 23, 1919 in Johnstown, son of the late John and Mabel (Imler) Bortz.  On April 5, 1946 in Virginia he married Margaret “Peg” Ott and she survives along with three children: John R. Bortz married to the former Marjorie Culley of Harrisburg, Jeffry L. Bortz married to the former JoAnne Fleegle and Candace wife of Rodney Secrest both of Bedford. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Brandee and Rebecca Bortz, John Nicklaus Bortz, Maggi Secrest and Justin Secrest and wife Kim, five step-grandchildren: Gregg Feaster and wife Stacey, Aliza and Jesse Feaster, Robert and Jeff Griffiths, two great grandchildren: Bennett Secrest and Lily Potvin and one niece Annette Nolte.  He was preceded in death by a sister Dorothy Kund and a daughter-in-law Artie Bortz.

Mr. Bortz was a graduate of Bedford High School and a 1940 graduate of Washington and Jefferson College.  He served overseas with the Army during World War II for 33 months. After the war he entered into business with his father.  Later he owned and operated the Penn Manor Motel in Bedford from 1952 to 1955 and the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge and Restaurant in Breezewood from 1956 to 1968.  He was appointed by Governor Shaffer as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, and served in that capacity for four years. He has been associated with various business and real estate investments to the present time.  He was a member of Bedford Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and the church property committee for over 40 years.  He was a member and past Commander and past Director of Bedford American Legion Post #113, Former Director of First national bank of Bedford, former Director and President of Bedford Building and Savings & Loan. He was a former Director and President of Howard Johnson Motor Lodge Council, former Director and Vice President of Superior Courts United, former Director of PA Motel Association, former Director of Bedford Area Ambulance Association, where he was Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was former President of Breezewood Tourist Association and former Chairman of Bedford Tourist Assoc. and former co-chairman of Bedford-Breezewood Motel and Hotel Assoc., former member of Bedford industrial Development and former member of Bedford Borough Tree Commission. He was a former Director for Altoona First Savings Bank, a former Director of Allegheny Lutheran Home. and former member of Board of Viewers of Bedford County Common Pleas Court.  He was a former member and Chairman of Republican Finance Committee for Bedford County Republicans, former  State Republican Finance Committee.  He was a deputy Sheriff for Bedford County, a member of Bedford Elks Lodge  #1707, Bedford VFW, Bedford Moose Lodge #480 , the Kentucky Colonels, a Tennessee Squire and the Bedford Chamber of Commerce.

Funeral Services: Saturday, 11:00 am at Bedford Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Raymond E. Short officiating. Burial at Bedford Cemetery.  Friends will be received on Friday from 4-7pm at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford, and from 10:00 until the time of service on Saturday morning at the church.  Those wishing may make contributions to Bedford Trinity Lutheran Church, 106 W. Penn St., Bedford, PA in his memory.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.