By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
3 Comments
  • Visitation

    Sunday, May 23, 2021

    3 pm to 7 pm

    and Monday, May 24, 2021

    9:30 am to 10:30 am

    St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL.

  • Service

    Mass of Christian Burial

    Monday, May 24, 2021

    11 am

    St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Doris Ann Berkemann, 75, of Aurora, IL, formerly of Lebanon, IL, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2021 at home.

    Doris was born, September 21, 1945, to Theodore and Irene (nee Manhard) Zurliene. On February 10, 1965, she married Robert Berkemann at St. Mary’s Parish in Trenton, IL.

    Doris loved her family and spending time with them. Her hobbies included baking, crocheting, cross stitch, and passing on those skills to her grandkids. She moved to Aurora when her first grandchild was born and stayed to help raise 4 of them. She enjoyed spending time outside watching birds and watching squirrels slide down the bird feeder poles that she greased. Doris will be greatly missed by her husband of 56 years, Robert, her two children, Gina and Corey, and six grandchildren. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lebanon, IL.

    Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Irene Zurliene; father and mother-in-law, Vincent and Malinda Berkemann; brothers-in-law, Gerald Berkemann and Richard Trame.

    She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Robert Berkemann, Aurora, IL; children, Gina (Ray) Lesnik, D.O., Aurora, IL, Corey Berkemann, Savoy, IL; grandchildren, Hannah, Ian, Aidan & Olivia Lesnik, and Levi and Maebe Berkemann; siblings, Netty (Don) Sudholt, Betty (Jerry) Wesselmann, Sylvia Hoerchler, Nancy (Keith) Patterson, Dean (Juanita) Zurliene; sisters-in-law, Donna Berkemann Marilyn Trame; several nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery Foundation, or donor’s choice.

    Visitation: Sunday, May 23, 2021, from 3 pm to 7 pm, and Monday, May 24, 2021, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, May 24, 2021, at 11 am, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL.

    Clergy: Monsignor James Margason

    Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery, Lebanon, IL.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

     

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

3 Condolences
 
  1. Pat C Suydam / May 22, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    Our condolences to the Zurliene and Berkemann families.
    Jon & Pat Suydam

  2. Chuck DeLorme / May 22, 2021 at 10:45 pm

    Doris became a very dear friend soon after we moved here in the early 80’s. We often got together with our families at each other’s home and we took vacations together which often became family stories that were retold with much laughter. Our motor home trips often ended in a garage and a new plan to complete our vacation but always made it back home safe and sound. The life and times of Doris and Bob are filled with stories of people they have befriend over the years and their dedication to their families over the last 56 years. Doris was never lost in conversation and I was inspired how well she could keep the conversation going with anyone she was around. What a gift that she had to entertain, teach, discuss and deal with those issues that were part of her life. We, friends, grandkids, children, brothers and sisters and others she encountered during her life are thankful we had the wonderful opportunity to have known Doris in a special way which made us a better person. We will all miss Doris.

  3. Pete Wilhelm / May 25, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    My sympathy, Gina, to you and the rest of your family as well. I recall your mom from church as well as our commutes to Belleville Area College (now SWIC) for advanced Algebra class in 8th grade. A kind and friendly woman and great family. May God comfort you, your dad, and family, during the next several weeks and months.

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