John L. Berberich Obituary (1936

Cullom Dateline: John L. Berberich, of Rural Cullom, died at Copper Creek Cottages in Lincoln on November 15, 2022 at the age of 86. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 22 ,2022 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home - Cullom Chapel, with Father Adam Cesarek officiating. His burial will be at St. Johns Cemetery, Cullom, where full military rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to services at the funeral home. John was born on July 13, 1936 in Cullom, Illinois to Louis W. Berberich and Mary J. (Haberkorn) Berberich. He was educated in country schools near Cullom and farmed in the Cullom area most of his life. John is survived by many friends and neighbors, but most importantly, his lifelong love, Esther May Freese of Lincoln, Illinois, and her children Carla R. DePoy and Bonnie L. Crickman. John served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1961 in various capacities at Fort Myer and Arlington National Cemetery as a member of the military honor guard, including funeral escort, casket team, firing party, flag presentation, and caisson platoon. John was deeply moved by his experiences at Arlington and his witness to the final tribute to the ultimate sacrifices and honorable military service of our veterans. John was also honored to march in the Inaugural Parade for President John F. Kennedy along Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. on January 20, 1961. John recalled with immense pride marching past the reviewing stand where President Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and other family members and dignitaries watched the parade. John was a member of the former St. John Catholic Church of Cullom, Illinois, the American Legion Skinner Trost Post 122, and the Livingston County Farm Bureau. John was sometimes quiet, but his smile and sudden bursts of laughter could brighten anyone's day. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Post 122 American Legion, Cullom, Illinois.