Gustave Joseph "Gus" Burtscher Jr.

Gustave Joseph "Gus" Burtscher Jr.

Gustave Joseph "Gus" Burtscher Jr., 84, of Newcomerstown, died at his residence on Thursday, March 4, 2010.

Gustave was born in Uhrichsville on June 30, 1925, a son of the late Gustave Joseph and Myrtle Gray Burtscher Sr. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany with the 49th Armored Infantry Battalion during World War II, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Battle Star. He returned to Tuscarawas County following the war and together with his brother, Robert, became the owner and operator of the Burtscher Brothers Concrete Co. at Dover, specializing in cement finishing and contracting for more than 30 years before his retirement in 1990.

Prior to that, he was employed at Marsh Industries at Dover for a few years. Gustave was a member of the Darrell Beiter Post No. 3303 at Newcomerstown Veterans of Foreign War, the Thomas Montgomery Post No. 431, Newcomerstown American Legion, and the Mohawk Post No. 2040, Coshocton VFW. He was also a former member of the L.O.O.M. Lodge No. 1337, Newcomerstown Moose. Gustave was also a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church at Newcomerstown.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching sports on TV, especially his favorite Fighting Irish of Notre Dame football team, reading, attending yard sales, hunting with his many dogs, and spending time with his family at their cabin on Atwood Lake.

In addition to his parents, Gustave was preceded in death by brothers, Robert Burtscher of New Philadelphia and James Burtscher of Dover, and brother-in-law, Robert Huff of Canton.

Gustave is survived by his wife of 49 years, Florence V. Demuth Burtscher of Newcomerstown, whom he married Nov. 18, 1961. He also leaves three sons and four daughters, Milo Clyde and wife Martha (Bays) Kincaid of Newcomerstown, G. Joseph and wife Diana (Davies) Burtscher III of Port Washington, Jeff L. and wife Billie Jo (Walkup) Burtscher of Newcomerstown, Shirley M. and husband Leon B. Gibson of Raeford, N.C., Donna S. and husband "Rusty" Henry of Dennison, Ginny K. and husband Thomas D. Richardson of Tuscarawas, and Beverly J. and husband Roger Oyer of Kensington, O. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, John and wife Teresa Burtscher, and Walter and wife Barbara Burtscher, all of Dover; sisters, Joann and husband Richard Burson of Zanesville, and Jeannie Huff of Canton; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Burtscher of New Philadelphia, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held March 8 at Ourant Funeral Home with Rev. Garry Marlatt officiating. Burial followed in the Salem-Union Cemetery at Port Washington, where the Newcomerstown Veterans' Honor Guard performed military graveside services.

The family is suggesting that memorials be made in Gustave's honor to an individual's favorite charity.