Maihle

Bert "Turtle" Maihle, 76, of Elberfeld, Ind., formerly of Valencia, passed away Thursday at the VNA Charlier Hospice Center in Evansville, Ind.

He and his twin brother, Gene, were born Nov. 13, 1933, in Valencia. He was one of 12 brothers and sisters.

Bert was a very generous and giving person who was easily befriended and always eager to help others. He loved spending time working in his gardens growing and sharing the vegetables with friends and family. He also was known for his ability to turn his grapes into great tasting homemade wine and preparing delicious smoked hams and turkeys for family and many friends during the holidays.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and camp until his health failed him. He held his lifetime hunting license and was a life member of the North American Hunting Club. He also was a member of the North American Fishing Club, a member of the Elberfeld American Legion Post 351 and a former member of the Elberfeld Lions Club.

He was scout master of Cub Scout Pack 176 in Elberfeld for several years.

He proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

He worked hard all his life and retired after more than 20 years in the maintenance department at Welborn Baptist Hospital. He did odd jobs to occupy his time, including working for the town of Elberfeld.

At the age of 71, he was caught by an AP photographer pushing a stranded vehicle out of the snow, and his picture made it into the USA Today newspaper for his five minutes of fame.

Bert was preceded in death by his father, Allen F. Maihle Sr. of Ohio; his mother, Bertha Edna (Fague) of Pennsylvania; brothers, Howard of Pennsylvania, Carl B. of Massachusetts and Allen F. Jr. "Pete" of Pennsylvania; sisters, Freda M. (Stewart) of Pennsylvania and Louise C. of California; and a grandchild, Michael A. Maihle of Evansville, Ind.

He is survived by his lovely wife of 38 years, Leola M. (Goebel) Maihle; sons, Bobby L. (Sharon) Hazelip of Dale, Ind., Bert E. Maihle of Lynnville, Ind., and Lonnie L. (Kerrie) Maihle of Elberfeld; daughters, Debra J. (David) Finn of Elberfeld, Kelly Bryd of Tennessee and Tina M. (Fred) Reeves of Elberfeld; brothers, Harold L. (Gennie) of Valencia, Fred L. (Peggy) of Renfrew, Evan J. (Carol) of Jersey Shores, Pa., and Gene (June) of Tucson, Ariz.; a sister, Ruth T. (Stephenson) of West Sunbury; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A special thanks to all the staff at Deaconess Gateway, especially the ICU and the sixth floor staff, and also the VNA Hospice Center which made his last days peaceful.

<B>MAIHLE</B> — Visitation for Bert "Turtle" Maihle, who died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Wednesday at the <B>Titzer Family Funeral Homes</B>, Volkman Chapel, Second and Elm streets, Elberfeld, Ind., 812-983-4211. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home officiated by Steve Oeth with burial in St. John's Cemetery, Elberfeld.Military rites will be conducted by the Elberfeld American Legion.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children's Research Hospital and/or a memorial fund at Elberfeld State Bank to help cover expenses.