The funeral for Robert B. Berkes, 90, will begin with prayers at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Norris-Walen-Segert Funeral Home, 132 Fremont St., West Chicago, and proceed to St. Mary's Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m Monday, Aug. 25, at the funeral home. Born in West Chicago March 15, 1918, to Mary and Anthony Berkes, he passed away Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Arden Courts Assisted Living in Geneva. Robert graduated from St. Mary's Grade School and was a 1936 graduate of West Chicago High School. After serving in the Army for four years, he returned to West Chicago, where he began a long career with Northern Illinois Gas Company. In his retirement, Robert enjoyed many rounds of golf, many games of bowling, and traveling. He loved a good Dixieland band and liked to walk in downtown St. Charles, where he lived from 1979 until 2005. Since Dec. 2005, he made his home at Arden Courts. Robert was a caring and loving son, brother, and uncle, and friend to many. He took care of and watched out for people who were in need, and he lived his very strong faith in a quiet way each day. Robert is survived by his sister, Vera Gehl, nephews, Lee (Susan) and Dean (Kelli) Gehl, all of Arizona; nieces, Donna (Garry Nelson) Sable of Naperville, Norene (Bruce) Treudt of West Chicago, Sharon (David) Maas of St. Charles, and Patricia (Gary ) Taylor of Winfield; great-nephews, Robert and Matthew Gehl, Daniel and Steven Taylor, and Douglas and Kyle Gehl; and great-great nephews, Henry and Marley Gehl. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Rosalie Berkes; brother and sister in-law, Don and Margaret Berkes; sister, Sr. Laurelle Berkes, O.S.F.; brother-in-law, Ray Gehl; niece-in-law, Marguerite Gehl; niece and nephew-in-law, June and David Benzer; nephew and niece in-law, Glen and Helen Gehl; and nephew, Thomas Berkes. Contributions and donations in Robert's memory may be made to St. Mary's Church, 140 N. Oakwood, West Chicago, IL 60185. For information, 630-231-0060 or www.norriswalensegertfh.com.

[Published in The Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), Monday, August 25, 2008]