Bertha E. Scoles, 97, died March 24, 2013, at her residence.  She was born in Belvidere, Ill., on Feb. 24, 1916, to the late Orville and Marry (Masse) Coulter.  She married Cleo Garau and he preceded her in death.  On Nov. 24, 1965 she married Gerald Scoles and he died Dec. 31, 1995. 

Mrs. Scoles retired from Triplett Corp., Bluffton and was a farmer’s wife.  She was a member of First Missionary Church, Bluffton.  

Survivors include a nephew and caregiver Randy Scoles of Bluffton; several other nieces and nephews; and a sister Priscilla Birdwell of Zanesville, Ohio.

A son Stephen Garau; two brothers Orville and George Coulter; and two sisters Edna Bowers and Martha Hamm preceded her in death.

Services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. Rev. Gary Marks officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton. 

Friends and family may call Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Missionary Church.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com