James Mark Berger

James Mark Berger, age 90, of Lombard, died on May 10, 2022.

Jim was the former chairman of foreign languages at York High School in Elmhurst, IL. He was a French teacher and was on York's faculty for 38 years. While he loved the French language and culture, he was also supportive of York's other foreign languages, especially Latin. He taught AP French for many years. In retirement he joined a small cadre of francophone friends who took many advance literature courses at the Alliance Francaise de Chicago.

Jim was born in Deadwood in the Black Hills of South Dakota on July 22nd, 1931. He maintained a lifelong fascination for this Gold Rush town and its history, and knew well the lives of its colorful pioneers, past and present. His parents were Harry Stone Berger and Lucille Walter Berger. His father was Deadwood's Superintendent of Schools for nearly 40 years. His sister, Marilyn Berger Jordan, lives in the Seattle suburb of Mukilteo. Most of his nieces and nephews also live in the Seattle area; the late Bruce (Tina) Jordan, Ann Jordan, David Jordan, and Joan Jordan (Tom) Eilertson, and nephew Mark (Mary) Jordan of Southampton, NJ. He has several great nieces and nephews as well.

Jim graduated from Deadwood High School and went to Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO, where he obtained his BA degree. Following graduation in 1953, he joined the US Army and served mostly at Camp Rucker in Alabama. After his discharge from the Army, he attended Northwestern University for a master's degree in English. He then joined York High School in Elmhurst. Jim had taken a good deal of French as an undergraduate, and with an increased national demand for foreign language instruction in the 1960's, York sent him to the Université Laval in Quebec City for three summers to become fluent in French. He also attended University of Toulouse in France and spent a year in Belgium on a Fulbright Fellowship. This inspired a love of European travel.

In 1974, James (Jim) Drury headed for a job in Chicago with a national healthcare association. Friends suggested he contact Jim Berger, who could show him around town. They soon became partners, and a short time later bought a home in Lombard. Jim Berger loved to garden, and he soon filled the flower beds with lots of plantings. He also loved Victorian-era antiques and art, so the house eventually became a treasure-trove of both. Another love was travel and teachers' summer breaks were great for exploration. In February they would head for the warmth and enjoyment of Key West and Naples, Florida, for more than 25 years.

Jim Berger started attending Church of the Ascension, the venerable Anglo-Catholic institution on LaSalle Street in Chicago occasionally in 1969. He introduced Jim Drury to Ascension in 1975 and they became faithful attendees. At his death, Jim Berger was one of the church's most senior members.

"The Jims" not only traveled into Chicago for church, but they were also active participants in Chicago's vibrant arts organizations. They were long-time subscribers to the Lyric Opera, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Music of the Baroque, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Grant Park Orchestra summer programs, and the Art Institute of Chicago, among many others.

Jim Berger passed away in his sleep on the night of May 9/10, 2022, in his 90th year.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20th, from 3 – 8 PM at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. On Saturday, May 21st, Lying-In-State from 11 AM, followed by a Solemn Requiem Mass 11:30 AM at the Church of the Ascension, 1133 N. LaSalle Blvd, Chicago,

Requiescat in pace Jim Berger.

Info www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.