James L. Bertelsen, 82, of Coal Valley, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. Services for Mr. Bertelsen will be 1 pm, Saturday at Grace Presbyterian Church, Rock Island. The service will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/nS5vwB23Vi4?feature=share. Visitation will be Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Rock Island National Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted. Memorials may be made to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Rock Island.

James was born on June 26, 1941, in Monmouth, a son of Orville and Irma (Hanna) Bertelsen. He married Barbara (Woods) Smallwood on December 29, 1968, in Rock Island. She preceded him in death on February 29, 2024. Jim worked at the Rock Island Arsenal for 24 years before his retirement. Previously he had worked for the Roth Tank Co., Rock Island. In spite of not having a degree, he accomplished what he did through hard work and training from working with his father. Jim was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, and sang with the Good News Singers Chorale.  Jim was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include his son and daughter in law, Eric and Rebecca Bertelsen, Hebron, KY; a brother, David Bertelsen, Tucson, AZ.; sister, Julia Zvanes, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews, as well as other family members, and dear friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister, Cornelia Ann Schaefer, and a brother, Richard Bertelsen.