Bertie A. Voshell

Private graveside services were held for Bertie Edward Voshell, age 90, of Jefferson who died Saturday, October 12, 2013.Born June 6, 1923, Mr. Voshell was the only child of Bertie A. and Buena Vista Wood Voshell. A star kicker for his high school football team in Arlington, Iowa, he declined a college scholarship to enlist in the United States Navy in July, 1942.Mr. Voshell’s military service opened with the Aleutian Island Campaign, followed by 37 months at sea on battleships the USS West Virginia, Tennessee, Idaho, Maryland and Colorado. He took part in every invasion in the Pacific Theatre receiving 9 battle stars and attaining the rank of Signalman 2nd Class. Prior to discharge, he served his final months at the Naval Shipyard in San Francisco where he honeymooned with his new bride.While on leave visiting his parents in August 1945, Bert met the former Alta Hooper in Montrose, Colorado. She was visiting her uncle in the same town. It was love at first sight, and they were married two weeks later in what would be a 57 year marriage until her death in 2003.An auto mechanic by trade, Mr. Voshell was instrumental in the training of hundreds of young men in the 1960’s and 70’s studying auto mechanics at what was the North Georgia Technical and Vocational school in Clarkesville, Ga. Following his teaching career, he owned a Mac Tools distributorship where he happily crossed paths with many of his former students. He sold his business, and later retired from the City of Commerce in 1996.Survivors include one daughter, Kay Caputi; one grandson, William D. Bending and Mrs. Becky Bending all of Commerce; great-grandchildren, Ashley Bending of Carnesville, Richard Bending of Baldwin, and Cheyenne and Blake Bending of Commerce. He is fondly remembered by nieces, Jane Dunson and Margaret Ausburn of Homer, Ann Hooper of Maysville and Nadine Wardenga of Cleveland, Ga. as well as two great-nieces and 2 great-nephews. One cousin survives; Mrs. Marian Carpenter of Lansing, MI. Cherished friends include William T. Walker, Brenda Hodges, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Bennett as well as many residents and staff members at Bentley Assisted Living.An honor guard detail from The Georgia National Guard Military Honors Program presided over the full military funeral with words of comfort from long-time family friends, the Revs. Henry Webb and Jesse Mealor.\r\n