Merlyn John "Berke" Berke 1928-2010

BERKE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/15/2011 at 17:04:48

Sioux City Journal
14 August 2010

SIOUX CITY -- Merlyn John "Berke" Berke, 81, of Anchorage, Alaska, formerly of Sioux City, died July 28, 2010, at Prestige Care in Anchorage.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Elmendorf Air Force Base at Chapel 2 in Anchorage. The officiant will be Chaplain Holmquist. A reception will follow. All attendees at the service must show the following items at the Elmendorf Air Force Base Boniface Gate only: a valid picture I.D. (driver's license), a current vehicle registration and a current insurance card. Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel: www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.

Merlyn was born Sept. 23, 1928, in Sioux City. He moved to Alaska in 1974. Merlyn was in the military from 1946 to 1985, serving in the U.S. Army and Air National Guard. He retired as a master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force.

He was a member of Elmendorf Air Force Base Chapel 1 and VFW Post 102522. His hobbies were fishing, boating, camping, beekeeping and gardening. He was a devoted husband, supportive father and doting grandfather. Family and friends will fondly remember Berke for his sense of humor and willingness to lend a supporting hand.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Shirley Berke of Anchorage; daughter, Beth Mastel of Anchorage; son, Jon Berke of Anchorage; daughter, Ann Berke of Anchorage; son-in-law, Rick Mastel of Anchorage; daughter-in-law, Angela Berke of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Diana Berke of Sioux City; daughter-in-law, Sandra Hurd-Pitcher of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter-in-law, Sarah Berke of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Karlie Berke, Breauna Berke and Taylor Mastel, all of Anchorage, and Carolyne Berke of Denver, Colo., Brian Berke of Le Mars, Iowa, and Krisin Berke of Royal, Iowa; sister, Darlene Miller of Orange, Calif.; and nieces and nephews, Craig Miller of Orange, Calif., Kurt Berke of Iowa, Kevin Berke of Des Moines, and Kelly Berke of Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his son, Scott Berke; a brother, Alfred "Junior" Berke; sister-in-law, Ladonna Berke; and brother-in-law, Jerry Miller.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to Gideon's, P.O. Box 242841, Anchorage, 99525 or Anchorage Gospel Mission, 2823 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507.