She served as an organist for more than 70 years at various Middletown churches, including Faith United and, most recently, Blue Ball Presbyterian Church. Bertram died Thursday. She was 92.
The Rev. Edward McNulty said while Blue Ball Presbyterian has less than 30 active members, a much smaller congregation than Bertram typically entertained, she “gave us full service and beautified our worship service.”
He said Bertram was a dedicated Christian who saw her musical talent as a way to serve.
“She was a born Christian musician,” said McNulty, a part-time pastor for two years.
He delivered her eulogy Monday and at the end of the service, those in attendance sang two hymns.
“It wouldn’t have been right not to have music,” he said. “We had to send off Eleanor.”
Barbara Morris, 84, of Middletown, and Bertram met at church when Morris sang in the choir. They became lifelong friends and frequently went shopping and shared meals together. When Barbara and Luther Morris married in 1958, Bertram was their organist.
“She was wonderful,” Morris said.
Tim Draxler, minister of music at Faith United Methodist, worked with Bertram for 14 years before she retired from that church. She had the ability to read hand-written music and “never missed a note,” he said.
Bertram, a Middletown High School graduate, was born in 1928 in Middletown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Corbin; her mother and father, Mamie and Paul Shartle Sr.; her bother, Paul Jr. Eleanor.
She is survived by her nephews, Gary and John Shartle and her niece Sharon Hall.
Funeral services were held Monday at Woodside Cemetery Chapel.
About the Author
