Virginia loved to sew, embroider, crochet, work puzzles, and spent countless hours nurturing her 12 children. She was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and was active in the Rosary Group at church and the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Virginia volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was involved in many pro-life activities.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Lester T. “Mike” Berkel, whom she married on April 9, 1947, and who died on February 4, 2017; two daughters, Angela and Catherine; two sons, Donald and Andrew; a great-grandson, Joshua; her parents, Louis and Bertha, nee Abeln, Vander Pluym; two sisters, Margaret and Helen; and five brothers, Walter, Robert, James, Jerome, and Richard.
Surviving are eight children, Patty (Carl) Bussmann, David (Ginger Winston) Berkel, Jean (Bill) Kopp, Mary (Kevin) Pasbrig, Jim (Deb) Berkel, Joe (Denise) Berkel, Rick (Katrina) Berkel, and Susie (Ken) Dinquel; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles (Pat), David, and Thomas Vander Pluym; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to BJC Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
It was Ginny’s wishes to donate her body to Saint Louis University School of Medicine.