Cindy Allen Ertle, age 62, a resident of Belhaven, died Monday evening, Jan. 23, 2012, in Ahoskie, of natural causes.

Cindy was born Jan. 14, 1950, in Cortland, N.Y., the daughter of the late Frances Rowe Allen and the late John T. Allen Jr. Cindy married Dr. Thomas F. Ertle April 15, 1978, in Fayetteville. Cindy and Tom lived in the Johnstown, Pa. area for almost 20 years. Cindy and Tom later moved to Belhaven. Cindy was the proud parent of Thomas M. (Matt) Ertle, born 1980, and Luke Ertle, born 1982. Cindy and Tom adopted Jefferson T. Deshomme, 20, a Marine currently serving in Afghanistan. She was especially proud of her grandson, Thomas Nehemiah Ertle, born Nov. 23, 2010, and the son of Matt and Eden Ertle.

Cindy graduated from McGraw Central High School in 1968, where she was a member of 4-H, the high school chorus and band, to name a few extracurricular activities. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was awarded a Regents Scholarship. Cindy graduated from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 1970 with an associate’s degree in nursing. She worked as an Registered Nurse all her adult life, in many settings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. She enjoyed working as a nurse where her natural talents of humor and compassion were shown. She was currently employed as Clinical Nurse Manager for the University Health Systems of East Carolina’s Wound Healing Center in Ahoskie.

Cindy had been an active member in numerous churches her entire life. She was most recently a member of the Belhaven Missionary Baptist Church in Belhaven. Cindy had an unrestricted love for her savior, Jesus Christ. Cindy was also a former member of the Belhaven Rotary Club, along with her late husband, Tom. Aside from her family and faith, her great compassion and love were saved for the many people she cared for in Haiti. Cindy worked hard to bring a small measure of love and health to many Haitians. Cindy and Tom, along with their sons, Matt and Luke, were an integral part of the charity “Hearts for Haiti” as volunteer healthcare providers for over 25 years, primarily to the village of Mahotte, Haiti. Cindy will be remembered for her faith, love, compassion and community service.

Cindy is survived by her children, Matt Ertle, wife Eden and grandson Thomas Nehemiah of Cape Charles, Va.; and Luke Ertle of Greenville; a brother, Philip Allen and wife Carol of Lewes, Del.; sisters-in-law, Anne Marie Ertle-Ciara of Reisterstown, Md., and Linda Ertle Exley of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brothers-in-law, Steven Ertle of Blackwood, N.J., and Frank Ertle of Raleigh. Dr. Thomas Ertle, her husband of 31 years, died Sept. 28, 2009.  Visitation hours will be held at the Belhaven Missionary Baptist Church, Belhaven, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. tonight. The funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Belhaven Missionary Baptist Church. Cindy’s family requests that family and friends consider contributions to The Belhaven Missionary Baptist Church, 104 Edwards St., Belhaven, NC 27810 or The Global Reach Network PO Box 44038 Pittsburgh, PA 15205, a Haitian Relief Charity found online at www.theglobalreach.org.

Online condolences may be offered to the family or the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Ertle family.