BIERKORTTE, Raymond Herman, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 16, 2012, joining his son, David, and, grandson, Raymond “Tink”, in Heaven.
Red, as he was known and referred to by friends and family, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Red was born on December 21, 1925 in Wheeling, WV to William Wendel Bierkortte and Catherine Miller Bierkortte. He was the last of their four children. Red grew up in Wheeling and attended Central Catholic High School. At all times the consummate military man, Red honorably served his country as a Member of the US Marine Corps for 10 years where he was a demolitions specialist and antiaircraft machine gun crewman. He fought in World War II, served in the Asiatic Pacific Area, and was on site when the U.S. flag was raised on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as friends and family will attest. Upon being honorably discharged from the military, Red continued his path of serving and protecting as a Sergeant with the City of Wheeling’s Police Department. A devoted partner to his wife, Janet, for over 63 years, he was loyal to and protective of his family, and always dignified in his manner. Red enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: a good book, a game of cards, a cold bourbon and coke, watching the seasons change.
Red is survived by his wife, Janet Elaine, his 4 children Raymond Philip Bierkortte, Claudia Madani (Behrouz), Phyllis Loew (Steve), Carole Graham (Patrick, deceased), his 11 grandchildren Shireen Madani Sims (Steven), Kaivon Madani (Crystal), Sheada Madani Pratico (Steve), Jacob Bogart Rice (Kelly), Ryan Bierkortte, Benjamin Bierkortte, Khalil Madani II, Samuel Taylor Rice, Sarah Graham, Leigh Anne Johnson, Katie Graham, and his 7 great-grandchildren, Zahra Sims, Miles Japheth Sims, Leila Sims, Shahla Madani, Marco Behrouz Pratico, Kian Kaivon Madani, and Claire Elaine Rice.
Graveside services with military honors will be presented at 2:15 PM on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, FL.
Memorials may be sent to Bay Pines VA Health Care System, PO Box 5005, Sect. 135, Bay Pines, FL 33744 (write "Hospice" in the memo). Please sign the guestbook below.
