James Otto Berlage

James Otto Berlage, age 67 of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Monday, August 15, 2011 at the Rainbow Hospice Ark in Park Ridge, Illinois. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 20, 2011 at the Church of St. Mary, Elizabeth. Burial will take place in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. A rosary service will be held at 3:30 p.m., prior to the visitation with a service held at 7:30 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Notre Dame Center for Social Concerns, at Development Office 1100 Grace Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556, or to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201-3443, in James memory.
James was born on August 23, 1943, the son of Joseph and Florence (Becker) Berlage in Elizabeth. James married Susan (Krug) on September 20, 1975 in Hanover. Susan died on January 7, 1989 in LaGrange, Illinois. James enjoyed living and farming his entire life in the Elizabeth area. He was active in the faith community of the Church of St. Mary, Elizabeth, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Most of all, James cherished spending time with his family and friends.
James will be dearly missed by one son, Joe (Faye) Berlage of Chicago, Illinois; two grandchildren, Bethany and Bobby Berlage of Chicago; two brothers, Larry (Kay) Berlage of Elizabeth and Maury (Carole) Berlage of Elizabeth; one sister, Ann (Bert) Tranel of Galena, Illinois; two sisters in-law, Arlene and Marilyn Berlage, both of Elizabeth.
James was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; parents, Joseph and Florence Berlage; three brothers, Herb, Kenneth and Donald Berlage; and one sister, Florence Berlage.