John A. Kertel Sr.

John A. Kertel Sr., 92, of Cambridge, died Monday (August 31, 2015) at Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born February 10, 1923 in Skrilje, Slovenia (formerly part of Yugoslavia), son of the late Steven and Maria (Kravos) Kertel. He was a 1941 graduate of Bessemer High School in Pennsylvania and an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Kertel was proprietor of The Sewing Compass, a retail store and repair shop in his home for fifty years. He was known to his countless loyal customers as "The Sewing Machine Man." Mr. Kertel was quite fond of Slovenian Button Box Accordion polka music and actually owned and played his own button box accordion for many years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Stephanie Kertel D'Amico. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Bergant Kertel, whom he married April 23, 1946; a son, John Alan (Dorothy) Kertel of Cambridge; two daughters, Virginia J. Kertel of Roseland VA and Mary T. Kertel of Cambridge; two granddaughters, Marcia R. Kertel (Eddie Fisher) of Las Vegas NV and Raquel (Michael) Harker of Lovingston VA; three great-grandchildren, Wyatt Harker, Jasper Harker, and James Harker; a brother, Stanley H. (& Judy) Kertel of Alliance; a sister, Josephine M. Kertel Taylor of Dothan AL; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend of the family, Donna Davis of Cambridge. There will be no calling hours or funeral services held. As an expression of sympathy, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Guernsey Inc., PO Box 1165, Cambridge OH 43725.