Charles Berteaux Jr's Obituary
Our father, Charles Harry Berteaux, Jr., was a loving, hard-working, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. He departed this realm surrounded by family at his bedside, as well as those beyond the veil.
Dad was born to Charles Harry Berteaux, Sr. and Ana Maria Perez in Los Angeles, California as the eldest child of four other siblings: Richard Berteaux, Irene Hightower, David Berteaux, and Daniel Berteaux. Dad never forgot about family and his roots. He maintained contact with many family members of his mother and father as he worked on genealogy for much of his adult life.
He was a man of integrity, who loved the Lord and was a valiant faithful servant in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for over sixty years, more than thirty in Highland, California. He was a temple ordinance worker for many years in the Los Angeles Temple, Redlands Temple, and Timpanogos Temple.
Dad was a life-long student, starting with photography as a teenager. When he joined the Navy just after high school, he wanted to be a photographer. He studied photography at the Los Angeles Art Institute, and in the Navy. He also studied electronics, camera repair, and aerial photography. As a result of his studious nature he obtained several degrees from various institutions of higher learning.
Dad achieved the rank of a Chief Petty officer in the Navy. One of the highlights of his career was serving aboard the USS Kittyhawk. He was a photographer by profession both in and out of the service. He loved to shoot wedding pictures for local couples. He also enjoyed being a Radio Ham Operator after he retired.
Dad knew how to work hard, but also would play hard. He took many trips to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, SeaWorld, and all sorts of Fairs around the Southern California area, accompanied by kids or grandkids. It may have seemed like he did these trips to please his wife or grandkids, but he was an adventurer and liked exploring and having fun.
On July 10, 1948 he married Ynosencia Hernandez (deceased) at Forest Lawn Cemetery (yes, that’s right) in Glendale, CA. They brought five children into their home: Charles Harry Berteaux, III (deceased), Paul Richard Berteaux (deceased), Pearl Berteaux, Michael Roy Berteaux, and April-Dawn Berteaux.
On October 23, 2003 he married Clemencia Hernandez Salazar Villarreal in Redlands, California. Dad and Clemencia were school mates in the 7th Grade in Los Angeles, CA.
Dad was preceded in death by his first wife, Ynosencia H. Berteaux; his parents, Charles Harry Berteaux, Sr. and Ana Maria Perez Berteaux; brothers, David Berteaux and Daniel Lee Berteaux; children, Charles Harry Berteaux, III and Paul Richard Berteaux.
A legacy of selfless service is shared by surviving children: Pearl Berteaux Bertrand, Michael Roy Berteaux, and April-Dawn Berteaux. This legacy is also shared by 25 grandchildren (at this writing), and 32 great grandchildren.
Dad was a very strong, self-reliant man that took care of others, especially his family. His first wife, Ynosencia, said that he “could sleep while the wind blew.” He was generous, compassionate, playful, stubborn, and loving. He lived a long and full life and will be missed by many.
In lieu of sending flowers to either the church or the cemetery, please send the equivalent to www.gofundme.com/wuj8yk.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7000 Central Ave., Highland, CA 92346, on June 26, 2015 at 10:30 am, with a 10:00 am private family viewing. Later, at 1:30 pm a graveside service will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery, located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside CA 92518. This service will include full military honors. A map to the cemetery will be provided at the funeral service.
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