Beatrice L. Berkey

Beatrice L. Berkey, 85, of Goshen, died early Sunday morning, May 1, 2011 at Greencroft Healthcare.  She had been ill for two weeks.  She was born in Goshen, on August 2, 1925, to the late Elmer and Pheobe (McMullen) Neff.  On June 30, 1945, she married Charles L. Fry.  He preceded her in death on October 8, 1986.  She then married Milton Edwin Berkey on December 15, 1991.  He died July 11, 1995.  A lifelong Goshen resident, Mrs. Berkey worked as a telephone operator for over 25 years before retiring.  A member of the First Church of God, Goshen, and of the D.A.V. Auxiliary, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and collecting sewing memorabilia.  She is survived by two daughters, Sandra (Dennis) Birtchfield of Goshen, Marjorie (Verne) Ebersole of Middlebury; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruth Fair, Florence Chumas, and Margaret Bauman; and five brothers, Joseph, Lawrence Fred, Clyde, Max, and Lewis Neff.  Friends may call from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 4, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Pastor Terry Tyler of Grace Point Presbyterian Church, Nappanee, will officiate.  Burial will be in Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, Goshen.  Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.