Bertha Mae (Jingst) Brantingham

In Memory of
Bertha Mae (Jingst) Brantingham
November 7, 1923 – May 13, 2020

96, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom she greatly loved, May 13th. Bert was born to Henry Harlan Jingst and Hulda Magdalene Spory and is now reunited with her husband William (Bill), who entered into Glory May 2, 2018.

Bert served alongside her husband, a dedicated partner in ministry and Pastor’s wife while fulfilling many roles including: pianist, Sunday school teacher, hosting gatherings, making meals for those in need, welcoming all in her home, visiting the sick, elderly and shut in, volunteer service for many good causes and even part time janitor at: First Baptist Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Oakview First Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba, First Baptist Church, Atwood, Illinois, Grand Prairie Baptist Church, Marion, Ohio, First Baptist Church, Conneaut, Ohio.

Bert and Bill (married 66 years - together 70 years from first date) enjoyed their “best years together” at First Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ohio where Bill served as the Director of Visitation and Senior Adult Ministries the final 25 years of their ministry. Recently we were reading a card from a former church member who had served on the pulpit committee in search of a new pastor. Following Bill’s message as a candidate the member returned home and he said to his wife, “I don’t know if we will get Bill, but we have to get Bert!”

Bertha was born in Wythe Township, Illinois and she grew up on a farm near Sutter, Illinois. The fifth of six children born to German parents who lost their farm at the time of the Great Depression. Eventually the Jingst family moved to Warsaw, where they established a small dairy business. A number of cows had to be milked twice a day and after the milk had been cooled, it was poured into bottles. Before Bertha could leave for school each morning, she had the responsibility of filling the bottles, which her brother Everett had to deliver. H. Harlan often spoke of the fast and efficient way in which Bertha could fill the bottles, right to the brim each time, and never spill a drop! As a young girl, rising early, hard work, and helping others were habits that she carried throughout her lifetime. Bertha graduated from Warsaw High School in Warsaw, Illinois in 1942.

Bert and Bill met while attending the same church in Illinois and they went bowling on a double date, each with a different partner. Their next date was together and they were married at Maplewood Baptist Church on June 16, 1951 in Chicago. Later, “they” answered the Lord’s calling into full time ministry as Bert continued working as an administrative assistant while Bill earned a B.A. in Theology from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill was ordained on March 8, 1957, his 30th birthday, and their 55-year ministry began.

Bert and Bill decided to adopt and they have two sons. Stephen born in Chicago; and in 1958 while they were serving their first pastorate in Cranbrook, British Columbia, they adopted Daniel who was born in Vancouver.

Bert and Bill raised their sons creating a home centered on Godly principles following in the same manner and beliefs held by both of their parents, a faith deeply rooted in Jesus Christ. Their legacy of faith and examples of selfless service to others will endure for generations as they touched thousands of lives over their 55 years of ministry. Bert will best be remembered for her sweet and kind heart, weathered hands from decades of serving others and an engaging laugh, even at Bill’s perceived sense of humor.

Bertha Mae is survived by her sons: Stephen Paul (Penni) and Daniel Harlan (Elma); grandchildren: Tiffany Brantingham, Bobbie Jo (Wes) White, Matthew Harlan (Nicole) Brantingham, Elyse Mae (Brett) Diehl, and Anje Chandler and by seven great grandchildren: Stephen Bradley (U.S. Army), Jerry Bradley, Isaac Griffin, Isabelle White, Jackson Harlan Brantingham, Hartmann Brantingham, Gramercy Brantingham and David Brantingham, Bill’s brother,  who is the youngest of the six siblings from each of their families. And she has numerous nieces and nephews from both families.

A family service of Remembrance will be planned in the future at the Salem Bible Church in Sutter Illinois, fulfilling the wishes Bert and Bill had to be laid to rest together at the same time, beside her parents H. Harlan and Hulda, and within eyesight of the farm where she grew up.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Brantingham Memorial Fund, originally set up for Bill, at www.FirstBaptistHamilton.org.

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