Berkey, Edward J. (1874-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Feb 25 p. 9

Birth date: 1874 Mar 16

text of obituary:

EDWARD J. BERKEY

Rev. Edward J. Berkey, 79, widely know [sic] minister and evangelist of the Mennonite Church, a native of Middlebury, Ind., and a resident of Park View near Harrisonburg, Va. for the past 18 months, died unexpectedly at 11:35 Monday morning, Feb. 15 at his home on College Avenue.

Rev. Berkey suffered a paralytic stroke six years ago, and had since been an invalid. He suffered a similar attack Sunday a week ago and since that time his condition had been considered serious.

A son of the late Joshua Berkey and Christina Blough Berkey, he was born on March 16, 1874, at Middlebury, Ind., and was left an orphan at the age of four years. He attended Mt. Morris College, at Mt. Morris, Ill., and the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.

He was associated with the Chicago Home Mission of the Mennonite Church for several years prior to moving to Warrenton, Va. where he was ordained to the ministry in 1902. In 1914 he went into the evangelistic field and travelled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. A great portion of his life and work was spent in the midwestern section of the United States. He made his home at Oronogo, Missouri for 36 years prior to moving to Park View in July 1952.

Rev. Berkey possessed a kind and pleasant personality, and this combined with a deep religious understanding, character, and convictions won for him the respect and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. He delivered over 6,000 sermons during his ministry.

Rev. Berkey was twice married. His first wife, the former Miss Mary Rhodes, whom he married on January 27, 1896, preceded him in death on Dec. 6, 1913. On Dec. 30, 1915, he married Miss Mary Shenk, who survives him.

Besides his wife, he is survived by twelve children, Elmer R. Berkey, of Sheridan, Oregon; Mrs. J. J. (Ruth) Hostetter, of Park View; Mrs. Martin (Esther) Weaver of Goshen, Ind.; Mrs. Ralph (Martha) Smith, of Oronogo, Missouri: Mrs. Norman (Bertha) Wenger, of Lancaster, Pa.; Miss Marietta Berkey, of Wooster. Ohio; Mrs. Robert W (Mabel) Martin, Miss Elsie Berkey, and Miss Janet Berkey, all of Park View; Mrs. George (Ruby) Reno, and Mrs. Harry (Bernice) Reno, Jr., both of Akers, Louisiana; and Earl A. Berkey, of Kansas City, Kansas.

Twenty-eight grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren also survive.

A daughter, Mrs. Ethel Buerge, died on Feb. 23, 1947, and two brothers and two sisters also preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon Feb. 18 at 2:30 o’clock from the Eastern Mennonite College Chapel in Park View. Harold Eshleman and Timothy Showalter conducted the services at the church and burial was made in the family lot in the Lindale Mennonite church cemetery near Edom. John R. Mumaw conducted the services at the grave. Daniel W. Lehman and Josef I. Herschkowitz conducted the services at the home.