Mr. James W. Berkley, 87 of 4325 Maple Dr. Galesburg (formerly of Gladstone) died at 9:05 AM Tuesday January 22, 2008 in Cottage Hospital.

He was born October 10, 1920 in Weldon IL the son of Robert and Grace Polen Berkley.  He married Sandra A. Gould in New York on January 25, 1964.  She preceded him in death on January 14, 1998. 

He is survived by three daughters Amy (Phillip) Berkley-Ellis of London England, Rita (Dietrich) Berkley-Smith of Gays Mills, WI and Laura (Dwayne) Berkley- Krisko of Farnham Surrey England; one brother Robert (Barbara) Berkley of Eugene Oregon and seven grandchildren Lucy, Rowan, Jessica, Eloise, James, Ruby and Frederick.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one brother and four sisters.

He served in the Illinois National Guard during WWII.

He was a high school English teacher at the Oak Park/River Forest High School for 30 years, retiring in 1986.  He graduated from Homewood-Floosmoor High school .  He attended Thorton JR College in Harvey , IL and graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids , IA.   He later received his Masters of Divinity at the Episcopal Seminary in Mundelein IL .  He did additional studies at Harvard University .  He was on the Board of Directors for Pine MT. Music Festival in Iron Mt, MI and he was a member of the Gladstone Yacht Club in Gladstone MI .  He was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

A Memorial Mass is scheduled for 11 AM Tuesday January 29, 2008 in St. Patricks Catholic Church.  The Rev. William Miller will officiate.  Visitation will be ½ hour prior to Mass at the church.  A Private Family Burial will be at a later date in Weldon Cemetery Weldon, IL.  Memorials may be made to the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Iron River , MI or the Oak Park/River Forest High School Alumni Association.