Jerome J. "Jerry" Berens

MARIETTA, GA. - Jerome J. 'Jerry' Berens, 69, died Saturday, February 28, 2009, after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jerry was born October 11, 1939, to James and Helen (nee: Davis) Berens in Racine. He was married to Joyce A. Kusters on November 11, 1961, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Racine. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council #4599. Jerry graduated in 1957 from Horlick High School in Racine. He joined the United States Air Force in October of 1957 and served until October of 1961. Jerry worked for Bellsouth for 38 years, retiring on September 30, 2002, as a Common Systems Capacity Manager. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joyce Ann Berens of Marietta, Ga.; two sons, Marc Berens of Atlanta, Ga. and Michael (Lara) Berens of Canton, Ga.; sister and brother-in- law, Pam (Jerry) May of Sturtevant; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William (Nora) Kusters; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Georgene (Don) Kapla; nieces, Jennifer Doyle and fiancé, Dan Miller and Kayla Kapla, all of Racine; nephews, Christopher Doyle of Racine, Erik May of Peoria, Ariz., and Donald (Julie) Kapla of West Bend; and mother-in-law, Rosemary Kusters of Racine. Mr. Berens was preceded in death by his parents, James and Helen Berens; and father-in-law, Theodore J. Kusters. Services will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 87 Lacy Street, N.W., Marietta, Ga. 30060, on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Walsh officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Resurrection Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to http://www. firstgiving.com/jerryberens. Thank you to Dr. Frank McCoy, Jan West PA, and staff at Northwest Georgia Oncology; Dr. Robert Jansen and staff at Georgia Kidney Associates; and Dr. Steven Oweida and staff at Vascular Surgical Associates, for all the care and compassion during his illness. MAYES WARD-DOBBINS FUNERAL HOME 180 Church Street Marietta, Ga. 770-428-1511