Cleston A. Bertus

Cleston Albert Bertus, 93, retired Lewistown, Mont, assistant chief of police, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006, at Vashon Community Care Center in Vashon, Wash.

He was born Jan. 14, 1913. in Moccasin, Mont. to Albert Martin and Lizzie (Jones) Bertus. The family farmed near Benchland, Mont., and he received his early schooling there and later in Lewistown, Mont. after his family moved in 1923.

As a young man, he worked on threshing crews, for the railroad, as a ranch hand, and a welder. He helped build and paint many central Montana area grain elevators.

He loved motorcycles and was hired by the Lewistown police department as a motorcycle officer in 1949, Harley and all. His police duties also included volunteer fireman, ambulance driver and walking a beat.

He enjoyed flying airplanes, playing the drums, working crossword puzzles and was a baseball umpire. In 1991 he and wife Margaret moved to Vashon.

His parents died earlier, as did his first wife of 31 years, Eva, in 1965, his younger brothers Clifford (Amy), in 1974 and Chester (Virginia), 1976, and his second wife of 24 years, Margaret, in 1993.

Survivors include his son Cleston L. Bertus, daughter Holly Zapel, stepsons Lee and James Langford, foster daughter Sheila Dennison, grandchildren Matt and Nicole Zapel, Vicki Palan, Lori Rivera, Brandy Stewart, Jimi and Shane Langford, sisters in law Virginia and Amy Bertus, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services were held Sept. 19 in Lewistown, and he was buried between his beloved wives. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the loving staff at the Vashon Community Care Center, the Vashon Health Center, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, Island Emergency Care and Vashon Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.