Lawrence Andrew Berkel passed away peacefully at the age of 101, surrounded by his family and friends at 11:14 pm on March 12, 2024. He was born in Equality, IL, the third son of Leonard and Josephine (Zimmer) Berkel.
On November 23, 1953, He married the love of his life, Thelma Marie Brinkley, who gave him a son Mark Allen Berkel born in May of 1963. Lawrence was a loving husband and father who lived for his family and fought off death to be with his loving son.
Lawrence loved hunting, fishing and camping.
He was very involved in the collecting and the preservation of vintage John Deere tractors and equipment with his son.
He was the oldest member of the Southern Illinois Green Iron Club and was also a member of Union Carpenters Local 664.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife Thelma, his parents, Leonard and Josephine, 3 brothers Francis, Lewis, Bill, and a sister Margret Barns
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until time of service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2024 at Vinyard Chapel Cemetery in Karbers Ridge, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com