Thomas S. Berstling, 69, Lorain Products Retiree

He was born November 23, 1937 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.

Thomas attended St. Anthony Catholic School, Longfellow Elementary School and graduated from Lorain High School. He served with the US Army in 1961.

He worked at Lorain Products as an Electrical Tester Technician for 45 years retiring in 2001. Then he worked for Enterprise Rental in Lorain as a Transporter.

Thomas was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, both in Lorain, where he served as an usher during mass. He was a member of the Italian-American Veterans Post #1, United Polish Club, Knights of Columbus, Polish-American Citizens Club and the American Slovak Club.

He was a drummer in local bands, liked cars and enjoyed traveling to Florida and Las Vegas. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, watching the Indians and Browns and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his sons: Steve Berstling of Lorain and Kirt Berstling of Avon Lake, granddaughters Kayla and Alexis Berstling and sister Betty Savinsky of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Elizabeth Berstling (nee Martonchik) and brothers Joseph Berstling and Robert Berstling.

The family will receive friends Friday 2-4, 7-9 PM at the Gluvna Shimo Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain where funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 AM followed by the mass of Christian Burial Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, 1412 E. 29th St., Lorain. The Rev. James Schmitz, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where the VFW Post #451 and American Legion #30 of Lorain will conduct military honors.