Obituary of Cecil W. Berkey

Mr. Cecil W. Berkey, Sr., 90, of 377 Merrick St., Pleasantville passed away at 6:35 PM on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Oakwood Heights in Oil City. Mr. Berkey was born on July 2, 1925, in Newport, TN to the late Lloyd L. and Ada Blankenship Berkey. He married Margaret Morris on June 24, 1972, at the Pleasantville United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Navy. He entered the service on September 17, 1943, and was honorably discharged on May 17, 1946. Cecil was formerly employed as a machinist with Roll Craft, Colonial Machine and Specialty Machine of Pleasantville until his retirement. During those years he also worked as a caretaker at Fairview Cemetery for 30 years. Mr. Berkey was a member of the Pleasantville United Methodist Church, the Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW, Cleo J. Ross Post 368 American Legion, and a member of the former Pleasantville Sportsman’s Club. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, camping and boating at Tionesta Lake, bowling, and dancing with his wife. He had been to several states out west on hunting trips for Elk and Moose over the years. Mr. Berkey is survived by his wife Margaret Berkey of Pleasantville; 10 children, Robert Emerson and wife Gloria of OR, Norma Hoke of Titusville, Janet Birchard and husband Bernie of Grand Valley, Patricia Hawthorne and husband Randy of Titusville, Catherine Mabugu and husband Rev. Samuel of Titusville, Julie Wirth and husband Jeffrey of Thompsontown, Holly Allen and husband DeWayne of Pleasantville, Fawn McLaughlin and husband Dale of Pleasantville, Mark Wright and wife Karen of Titusville, Steven Wright of WY; 22 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. Cecil was preceded in death by a son, Cecil W. Berkey, Jr.; a grandson, Leigh Birchard; a great-granddaughter, Braelyn Boehme; and a brother, Calvin Berkey. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM and attend the funeral service from the funeral home on Saturday at 11:00 AM with his son-in-law, Rev. Samuel Mabugu, officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Pleasantville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview Cemetery c/o Martha Long, P.O. Box 180, Pleasantville, PA 16341.