Donald W. Berke, 71, formerly of DeKalb and Bella Vista, Arkansas, died Monday, September 18, 2017, at Mercy Health Rockford Memorial Hospital.
Born March 19, 1946, in DeKalb, the son of Tilmen and Viola (Kirkhus) Berke, Don married Diana Kay Awalt on July 20, 1968 in Sycamore.
Don was a graduate of DeKalb High School Class of 1964. He received a bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in Mankato, Minnesota and a master’s degree from Aurora University. He graduated from the FBI National Academy. Don was a DeKalb police officer for 33 years and DeKalb Chief of Police for 11 years. He was a former member of the First Lutheran Church in DeKalb and served on the church council.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; two sons, Ronald (Kim) Berke and Randy (Holly) Berke, all of Rockford; four grandchildren, Abby, Trevor, Taylor and Lexi Berke; two brothers, Larry (Kay) Berke of DeKalb, Marvin (Wanda) Berke of Rockton; one sister, Phyllis Fischer of Plymouth, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tilmen and Viola Berke and step-mother, Margaret Berke.
The Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 22, 2017, at First Lutheran Church, 324 North Third Street, DeKalb, with the Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Donald W. Berke Memorial Fund, addressed to the Berke Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.
Services
Visitation
Thursday, September 21, 2017
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Anderson Funeral Home 2011 South Fourth Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Funeral Service
Friday, September 22, 2017
1:30 PM
First Lutheran Church 324 North Third Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
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