Elaine P. Porter Berkel

Elaine grew up and worked on her family’s farm in St. Jacob, Ill., until she was hired as a seamstress in Belleville, Ill. She then accepted a position at Margie’s Alterations in Belleville, where she retired from on July 26, 1986 at the age of 68. Elaine then performed alterations for Brite Way Cleaners, Belleville, Ill., and alterations for other clients at her home still at the age of 93.

Elaine was a member of the Belleville Senior Citizens and enjoyed volunteering on Tuesdays at the Senior Citizens. She also looked forward to the monthly Sunday Senior Citizens dinner. Elaine was a loving aunt always having a smile on her face with a positive outlook, and great since of humor.

She enjoyed her home, taking care of the birds, sewing, meeting her clients, working in the garden, and having a bowl of ice cream. Elaine had a passion for music and supported her husband in his band “Variety Men” until his passing.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Melvin J. Berkel whom she married on June 28, 1975 and died August 14, 1994; her parents, John A. and Florence A. Porter, nee Dugger; a sister, Fern P. Gindler; a brother-in-law, Harold H. Gindler.

Surviving are her niece and nephew, Eileen (Roger) Westfall, Troy, Ill., and Glenn (Jeanette) Gindler, Collinsville, Ill.; great nieces and nephews, Mindi Westfall, St. Louis, Mo., Randy (Kim) Gindler, Granite City, Ill., Robyn Somraty, Glen Carbon, Ill., Jana (Jeff) Erlich, Collinsville, Ill., Joyce (Michael) Griggs-Holmes, Urbana, Ill., and Justin (Leslie) Griggs, McKinney, Tx.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Oncology Center.

Visitation: Friends may call Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, Ill. 62223.

Funeral Service: Funeral Services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, with Rev. Charles West officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Ill.

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.