URBANA, IL- Bertha Ward Gutekunst, 98, of Urbana, Illinois, died Thursday, February 15, 2007 at The Carle Arbours, Savoy, IL.

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, February 19, 2007 at College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, IL. Rev. John Grob will officiate. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gutekunst was born November 6, 1908 at Mt. Auburn, Illinois a daughter of Albert Thomas and Pearl Mae Bloxam Ward . She married Helmut Conrad Gutekunst. He preceded her in death on December 6, 1971. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Judith Heck of Urbana, IL., 6 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren. 1 Sister-In-Law and several Nieces also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter and a brother.

Mrs. Gutekunst graduated from Illinois Weslyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, with a Bachelor's Degree in 1930. She taught Journalism, French and Spanish at McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois. She later received her Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois and taught in several schools including Lebanon, DeLand and Virginia, Illinois. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Champaign County Retired Teachers Assn. and she was a member of the Mt. Auburn First Christian Church.

Memorials may be made to: Donor's Choice