Elizabeth A. "Bette" Berkley

Elizabeth A. "Bette" Berkley April 19, 1934 - April 30, 2014 ELKHART - Elizabeth A. "Bette" Berkley, 80, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Memorial Hospital of South Bend surrounded by her family. Bette was born on April 19, 1934, in Indianapolis, and was adopted by the late Harold A. and Anne G. (Huntington) Pribble. She later reconnected with her birth parents, Robert Zimmerman and Mary Ergo (both now deceased) and enjoyed finding a loving and extended family. Surviving are her daughter, Elizabeth G. (Cruxen) Puig of Rockford, IL, and her sons, Deacon J. Clayton A. (Sherry) Berkley of South Bend and A. Trice Berkley III and his life partner, John Davis of Elkhart. Bette is also survived by Rose Tinder-O'Brien whom she considered to be an adopted daughter, and her children, Olivia Tinder of Ft. Wayne, IN, and Daphne O'Brien of South Bend. A celebration of Bette's life will take place at St. David's Episcopal Church, 26824 C.R. 4, Elkhart, on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm followed by a Requiem Mass to be celebrated by the Rev. Henry G. Randolph Jr. at 2:00 pm. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and her cremated remains will be interred in the Columbarium of the Holy Cross located at the church following the service. Arrangements have been placed under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart. Bette was a graduate of Elkhart High School and then went on to receive her B.A. in General Studies with a minor in Women's Studies from Indiana University. She was formerly a speech therapist, but worked as a social worker for Child Protective Services of Elkhart in her later years. She also volunteered her time at the Montessori Schools in Elkhart and South Bend. An avid nature enthusiast, Bette was a member of the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society, enjoying a lifelong love of birds and bird watching. She liked dogs as well, and spent several years raising Whippets in her home. She also was a member of St. David's Episcopal Church, was a certified lifeguard, and enjoyed knitting, reading and watching tennis and "Animal Planet." Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be given to the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society, P.O. Box 581, Mishawaka, IN 46546; or to St. David's Episcopal Church, 26824 C.R. 4, Elkhart, IN 46514.