Sheryl Berkenfield, 67. Beloved wife of James E. Berkenfield; devoted mother of Daniel (Kristin) Berkenfield, Laura (Jason) Ronkoske, Leslie (Kevin) Colman, and Jessica Berkenfield; cherished grandmother of Alexis and Andrew Colman, Malia and Max Berkenfield, Jackson and Mason Ronkoske, and Cameron and Chase Colman; loving sister of Kaye (late David) Polakoff; Francine King, Helene Berlin, and Bob Levin; will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Sheryl was a proud graduate of the National Teacher's College with a love for young children in K-3. Despite her struggles with scoliosis, she found the strength to raise four amazing children and eight wonderful grandchildren. Memorial service Thurs, 11:30 AM, at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to City of Hope, www.cityofhope.org. For info: 847-256-5700.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Apr. 27, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Sheryl Berkenfield

51 Entries

June 20, 2016

I am heartbroken to have discovered that my dear friend Sheryl has passed away. It is mid-June and I had no idea other than she didn't return my calls. I loved and laughed with her so many days and nights since high school, shared amazing memories, experiences, trips, family, and will always keep her in my heart and think of her as a sister.
I hope that her loving family will find peace and comfort knowing how much she is loved and respected.
-Judi Mark (March)

Debbie and Jim Giannini

May 28, 2016

We were so sorry to learn of Sheryl"s passing. She was a warm, friendly, and wonderful person. She always had a smile on her face and had something nice to say. I know this is a terrible loss for all of you and we're so sorry. We hope with time it will become a little easier to except. Our thoughts are with all of you.

Joyce Shulman Crucian

May 4, 2016

warmest hugs to Jim, all the kids, grandchilden, the Geman family and all who are mourning,like me, Sheryl's unexpected departure-too soon.
Rest in peace, sweet, dear friend and great lady- 'til we meet again...

Charles Dahl

May 3, 2016

Dear Jim and Family... It is with the deepest regrets and condolences I send this note to you with the passing of Sheryl. The years fly by, and before you know it everything has changed. Sheryl was the most kind, decent and non judgmental person I ever met, which I think made you the perfect match. We all loved her and she now, as always, is in our hearts.

With deepest sympathy and love,

The Dahl family

Toni

May 3, 2016

Deepest condolences to the family and friends. Please take comortgage in God's words at Roman's 8:38,39.

April 29, 2016

To Jim and the Berkenfield Family:

Sending our support, love, and most sincere condolences for this loss. Sheryl was truly one-of-a-kind and is loved and missed by many.

Jimmy and Marisa Marco

April 28, 2016

We were so sorry to here of Sheryls passing. She was such a kind and gentle person and loved her family and children. Our deepest sympathy to her family. Marcia and Jim Faltinek

Sarah Wise Ratschan

April 28, 2016

Sheryl was my Mom's best friend and the funniest woman I know. May she shine down upon all of us from heaven.

April 28, 2016

Dear Jimmy,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss of Sheryl. Please know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Syma (LeVine) Dodson

April 28, 2016

Dear Jim and Family,

I am sorry about your loss. Sheryl and Linda enjoyed talking at Hockey and playing Volley Ball at your house.
Paul Holmquist

Sue Ockerlund

April 28, 2016

My prayers and thoughts are with the entire Berkenfield family...so sorry for your loss

Karen Bassing

April 28, 2016

Dear Jim and Family:

We are so saddened to hear of the passing of your beautiful wife Sheryl. She was such a wonderful woman and mother. She will be sorely missed by many.

Love,
The Bassing Family

Sally Hicks

April 28, 2016

To Jim and the entire Berkenfield family: Words cannot describe how truly saddened I am at the sudden passing of Sheryl. She brought a light into everyone's lives that she touched. I will miss her dearly and will always remember her wonderful sense of humor. She will be greatly missed by many.
With sincere sympathy,
Sally

Rose Kovarsky/Bauer

April 28, 2016

Sending my heartfelt condolences to the Berkenfield family. May you find the strength to help you through this struggle without Sheryl by enjoying the many memories you created with her. I will always remember her smile and her kindness. May God bless you.

Micki Berger Sarab

April 28, 2016

My sincere condolences to the entire family. I was shocked and heartbroken when I heard of Sheryl's unexpected passing. A friend in high school and beyond, my everlasting memory will be the laughter she brought to our world. Really very tearful as I write this, but I will treasure that I was able to spend some time with her in the not too distant past and that memory will sustain. She will be missed and the world a little less bright with her passing.

Marcia Levitan-Diamond

April 28, 2016

To the Berkenfield Family

I am heart broken by the sudden loss of Sheryl. She was a wonderful,
kind and loving human being. The world will not be the same without her. I have known Sheryl since the beginning of high school and we have kept in touch throughout the years. My sincere and deepest condolences to your entire family and all the people that loved her. May the wonderful memories of her sustain you.

Marcia Levitan-Diamond

Judy and Michael Saywitz

April 27, 2016

Dear Jim and family

Please accept our sincere condolences on Sheryl's untimely passing. I feel very lucky to have met her and call her friend. We had such fun playing mahj, canasta, putting, and of course eating. As everyone has said, she was a very special person. Sweet, kind, always thinking of others. I don't know of anyone with a bigger heart, always worrying about everyone.
I always looked forward to reuniting in the fall. The desert will not be the same without her.
TO A VERY SPECIAL LADY. RIP.
Judy and Michael Saywitz

Nita and Mike Harper

April 27, 2016

We are heartbroken. We loved her. We love the family. There are too many stories to tell.

Armund schoen

April 27, 2016

Dear Jim and the entire Berkenfield family:
Iliana, Cucho, David and Mari join me in expressing our most profound sympathy to all of you on the loss of Sheryl. We got to know her even better over the past several years and realized even more what an open, loving, caring and honest person she was. We are so sad for your and everyone's loss of this bright, shining star of a person who endured so much pain without complaint. We only hope that, with the passage of time, it will become a little easier to deal with the sadness that we all feel right now. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Pug

Roz Lynn Dorf

April 27, 2016

My sincere condolences to Shery's family. We had connected and been messaging on Facebook within the past few weeks about our 50th reunion, so this is a shock.

Cheryl Kalef

April 27, 2016

Dearest Jim and family, Please accept my deepest condolences. Sheryl has been my dear and treasured friend since we met 12 years ago and instantly connected. My heart goes out to you all . I will miss her dearly. Cheryl Kalef

April 27, 2016

Jim,
We are sorry to hear about Sheryl. Our condolences to you and your family.

Glant and Joyce Cohen

Margaret Nolan

April 27, 2016

To Jim and the Berkenfield family: We are so sad about Sheryl, you all have our deepest sympathies and prayers. Sheryl had the biggest heart, greatest sense of humor, and most generous spirit - loved all of our tennis adventures and the many good times at Valley Lo. Difficult to bid farewell to such a special person. Tom and Margaret Nolan, Leslie, and Chrissie.

April 27, 2016

Jim, although I had never met Sheryl, I am so sorry to hear of your, your family and your friend's loss.
My sincere condolences to all.
Best Regards
David Whyte

April 27, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear about Sheryl. Will miss her was involved with Sheryl in canasta, water aerobics, putters and also bunco .i talked to Sheryl many times about Illinois as I was raised in Joliet,wonderful people come from the Midwest . Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers . Sheryl is and was a special person .we send our condolences to the family .Larry and Sandy Delrose

Robert Steinberg

April 27, 2016

There is another star in the Heavens tonight. My deepest sympathy to you & your family.

Jim and Nancy Whitting

April 27, 2016

Sending thoughts and prayers to the Berkenfield Family. May Sheryl RIP.

Julie Nahigian

April 27, 2016

To Jim, Laura, and all of the family,
My heart breaks for you. This can't be!
An image of happiness, smiles, and kindness will forever come to mind when thinking of Sheryl. Her love for life and family taught us all so much. Find strength in knowing we are thinking of you and sending love.
Love, Julie

Karen Brosnan

April 27, 2016

Dear Jim, Danny, Laura, Leslie and Jessie and family:

My heart sank today with the news about Sheryl. She was a truly a bright and shining example of kindness, lightheartedness, sharp wit, ability to laugh at ones self, and - above all - unconditional love and support for family and friends alike. Sheryl made me - she made everybody - feel important, loved, special, unique - and coming from someone who was all those things was a major compliment. She was kind to everyone, she did the little things with happiness, and how you do little things is how you do big things. She was a font of love and kindness and humor. I'm grateful to have known her and have tried to live by her example. Sheryl touched so many lives just simply by being HERSELF. I hope all the Berkenfields and the extended family and her huge circle of loving friends can find peace in their happy memories of this wonderful lady. May she rest in peace.

Christopher Watson

April 27, 2016

My memories of her always include a warm greeting, a huge smile and a generous spirit. She will certainly be missed.

lynn besser

April 27, 2016

Deepest sympathy to Jimmy, the children and the entire family community.

Gregory Ray

April 27, 2016

Dear Berkenfield Family,

I was a good friend of Sheryl's back in high school. There were many midnights when and I were known to sneak out of our respective houses, I would pick her up and we'd go to WHITE CASTLE at Addison/Elston, pig out, LAUGH a LOT, then sneak back into our houses. As far as I know, our parents never found out!!!

My heart goes out to you all now. One of the brightest lights on earth will now light up the sky...directly over White Castle!!!

April 27, 2016

Dear Jim and family,
Our hearts break for all of yours. How terribly sad and shocking to hear about Cheryl.
What a huge loss, the world will not be the same without her.
We are so deeply sorry,
Love,
Jane and Tom Chana

Beverly and Robert Hurwitz

April 27, 2016

We were terribly shocked to learn of Sheryl's passing. She was brave, positive, funny, smart, sweet, kind, and a lovely role model of strength. Our deepest sympathy for her lovely family.
Beverly and Robert Hurwitz, Northbrook

April 27, 2016

We are saddened to hear the news about Sheryl. She always had a smile and a warm greeting for us, and it's hard to imagine our high school reunion without her there. We will miss her.
Jeff and Ellen Gendelman

Delores

April 27, 2016

To the Berkenfield family, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort from our heavenly Father and your warm memories now and in the days ahead. Psalm 94:18, 19

Susan Isenberg

April 27, 2016

Sheldon and I are shocked to read of Sheryl's passing. She was a warm, sweet, and lovely lady. Our thoughts are with the entire family at this sad time.

Vanessa Monico Ward

April 27, 2016

How terribly sad to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Donna Turek

April 27, 2016

Lifelong love to Jim and Berkenfield family.
The Turek family
Donna Turek
Olivia [Bakunas],
Jacqueline Turek
Lucy Turek

Lynne Vaughn (Rockowitz)

April 27, 2016

This is such a shock! Sheryl was one of the kindest, friendliest, loving person I've known. I've known her since we were toddlers. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

My deepest condolences to her family. May her memories bring you solace.

Allan Seruya

April 27, 2016

Sheryl was one of my oldest friends. Truly one of the good people. The world is a little smaller without her kindness.
All who knew Sheryl feel a great loss.

Bonnie Feinberg

April 27, 2016

Jim, Dennis and I could not believe this sad news. Sheryl was warm, beautiful and a ray of sunshine. An impression of kindness and warmth touched everything in her world. Her children, grandchildren and you Jim were her highlights.

We will all remember her spirit and love. Sending our deepest sympathies at this sad time. Dennis and Bonnie Feinberg

Michael Falk

April 27, 2016

I was so sorry to hear this news. Mrs. Berkenfield was such a friendly and fun neighbor, and I have warm memories of her. Our thoughts go out to the entire Berkenfield family.

Robert Sarwark

April 27, 2016

Mrs. Berkenfield was a dear friend of my mother's. I can say with 100% certainty that she lived a life full of love, laughter, and friendship. I am really grateful to have been around her joyful presence during the moments I was. She will be remembered by all of us who knew her. And in that remembrance she will stay with us forever.

Ashley Brookman Austin

April 27, 2016

My heart broke when I heard this news. Mrs. Berkenfield was a lovely and sweet woman. I have such fond memories of her. Thinking of you during this incredibly difficult time.
Sincerely, Ashley Brookman Austin

Elise and Alan Gelman

April 27, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss, I took mosaics with Sheryl and loved her spirit, she was a lovely woman and will be missed.i considered her a good friend. Love, Elise and Alan Gelman

April 27, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Jesus wept after the death of his friend Lazarus. John 11:35 We weep along with you.

April 27, 2016

We were so very shocked and sorry to hear about the sudden death of Sheryl...May G-d protect and give strength to her family and friends....G-d bless...thoughts cousins Helene and Eric Romer

Lynn

April 27, 2016

My sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time.

Aviva

April 26, 2016

Deepest sympathies to you and your beautiful family, Leslie. I'm thinking about you every minute and am so sorry for your sudden loss.

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