Bert J. Severance

A celebration of the life of Bert Severance, Jr. will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 AM at Millersport United Methodist Church.  Friends may visit with the family at the church on Friday, April 1 from 6:00-8:00 or one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  Masonic Services at will be held at 7:30 PM on Friday.

Bert was born on April 18, 1926 in rural Shawnee, Perry County, Ohio to Bert Van Earl and Matilda Viola (Garlinger) Severance where he enjoyed his youth. His parents owned and operated a restaurant in historic Shawnee on the B & O railroad line which they later transitioned to a grocery store. He was proud of his Shawnee/Perry County heritage.

Bert graduated from Ohio University with a degree in business administration with no intention of going into education. However, his sister Lillian had a different vision.  She told him about a teaching position at Millersport that he should investigate.  After the interview, he walked out of the building with the textbooks for typing, accounting, and shorthand never to enter the business world.  He was a beloved high school business teacher and class advisor, taking many senior students on their first excursion to the Big Apple for Broadway shows and a taste of big city life as well as sponsoring many junior senior proms.  Bert then studied at The Ohio State University and earned his Master of Education in School Administration. He had a special talent for working with students, parents and colleagues. He later became high school principal at Millersport as well as principal and superintendent at Sheridan (Northern Local) where he enjoyed most of his career.  He was an early proponent supporting education for gifted students and hired one of the state’s first gifted coordinators, Dr. Diane McCune. That gifted program enabled select Sheridan students to study and even research at Ohio University.  Dad was well respected as a principal and superintendent.

From an early age, dad took piano lessons from one of the Catholic sisters in Shawnee and became accomplished pianist (even though the sister had to stand over him with a yardstick). His parents purchased his Baldwin Acrosonic piano when he was 13 years old and it was hauled up narrow stairs to the second story of the store front in Shawnee. That piano was then moved to the Millersport  lake cottage that his father built in the late 40’s when Joanne and he were married. That piano was the center of life in the Severance home. He went on to direct minstrel shows and musicals at both Millersport and Sheridan, play at Sunday morning church services and accompany many shows for his children and friends.  He coached and developed the musical talents of many students as well as those of his children. His home was filled with piano music and singing on a nightly basis.

In addition to his parents, Bert is predeceased by this by his wife of 66 years, Joanne (Krumlauf) just six weeks ago; as well as his brother Charles “Buddy” (Bessie) Severance and sister Lillian (Jack) Dietrich. He is survived by three children that cherished him:  Mark (Kathy) Severance, Dean (Karen) Severance and Julie (Mike) Bruckelmeyer all of Millersport.  He was a loving grandfather to Michael (Crystal) Severance, Mitchell (Caylee) Severance, Nicholas (Andrea Rower) Bruckelmeyer, David (Amanda Desimowich) Bruckelmeyer, Elise (Brian) Sayre, Evan Bruckelmeyer, Jeff (Suzanne) Matthews and Jenni (Lori) May-Matthews.  He is also survived by the “greatest” great-grandchildren: Emily (Darrell), Claire, Kyra, Gryffin, CJ, Payslee, Vivee, Emerson, Harper, Hudson and Emmett.  He will be remembered by many former students, friends, and colleagues.

Bert was a modern day Barnabas—an encourager of all people.  He had a keen perception for noticing people who could use support in life and never retired from that unique calling. Later in life he trained to be a facilitator of men’s support groups and made many wonderful friends to add to his lifetime circle.   We are blessed for his lessons in whole hearted love of others.

We wish to thank his faithful and loving caregivers at Altercare Thornville, the staff at FairHOPE, and faithful family friend, Phil Davis who has become a son and brother to the Severance family. The family encourages donations to FairHOPE Hospice or the Millersport Community Theatre in lieu of flowers.  A luncheon in the fellowship hall will follow the Saturday service.  Rest in peace and rise in glory.