It is with deep sadness we say good-bye to our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, John M. Berra, 98, a former resident of Herrin, Illinois who passed away at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Austin, Texas. He had moved from Herrin to Austin in 2005 to be close to his family.
Dad was born November 18, 1914, in Herrin, the second son of Pete and Guerina (Catteneo) Berra, who preceded him in death.
He went to work at the age of 14 in Berra’s Tavern at 201 N. 16th St., after the death of his father. After spending 33 years there working alongside his brother Ren, he left to work in construction; and at 65, he retired, having spent his last 10 working years as superintendent of the Herrin City Park.
Dad was a proud veteran of WWII. Serving with the 113th AAA, US Army, he saw active combat in North Africa, Europe, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was a proud member of the DAV, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1565, the American Legion Post 645, and a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.
He married the former Ida Jane Chiodini on February 25th, 1940, in Herrin. She preceded him in death November 28, 1998.
His greatest joy in life was his family and we will always remember him for his unconditional love. He especially treasured his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who provided him with warmth and laughter in his later years. Dad will always be remembered for his kindness and compassion to countless people and organizations. No one was a stranger to him. Conversations were one of his primary sources of entertainment. He particularly loved his time spent in talking about his Italian heritage, his time of military service, his garden, or his hand-crafted canes.
Dad had a great love of participating in family events, be it a band concert or basketball game. He was a man we were always proud to call our father. His devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, country and faith was an example to all of us. We are thankful for the number of years we had with him.
He is survived by his sons, Ren (Marilynn) Berra, of Round Rock, Tx and John (Karleen) Berra of Conroe, Tx, by grandchildren Kim Young, and Mandy Whorton of Austin, Tx and Rob and Jim Berra and their families of Houston, Tx; great-grandchildren Sydney Young and Makenna Whorton; nieces, great-nieces, and many special friends.
The family thanks the staff of the Clairmont Retirement Community for their tender love over the years and Hospice Compassus for his end of term care.
Interment and graveside military service will be conducted at Herrin’s San Carlo Cemetery at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Family and friends are asked to gather directly at the cemetery. Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with memorial arrangements.
Memorial donations are suggested to San Carlo Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home, 201 S. 13th St, Herrin, Il 62948. Resto nella pace eterna, papà. Noi vi amiamo. Ci mancherai. Ciao. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com .