Berdell M. O'Connor

Berdell M. O’Connor, age 100, of Kankakee passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Bradley. She was born November 17, 1920 in Kankakee, the daughter of Walter B. & Mae (Larson) Crawley. She married William Alex O’Connor on Aug 3, 1946 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee. He preceded her in death on March 24, 2007. She was a graduate of Chebanse High School and attended Gallagher Business College. Berdell was a retired cafeteria worker in the Kankakee School District 111. She had worked at Proegler School for 10 years. In her earlier years, she had worked in the office at David Bradley for five years and two years at Florence Stove (Ropers) in Kankakee. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Teresa Catholic Churchn Kankakee for over 60 years and was currently a parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee. She was also a member of the Windy City Walkers. Berdell had walked in 16 states with her daughter Pat. She enjoyed walking, baking, gardening, and shopping. Most of all, Berdell loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Michael & Linda O’Connor of Montgomery, AL; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mary & Pete Gooding of Bradley, Patricia O’Connor of Louisville, KY, and Nora & Benny Denault of Kankakee; seven grandchildren, Tim O’Connor, Erin (Philip) Burdeshaw, Christopher (Samantha) O’Connor, Brian (Trina) Gooding, Melissa (Reggie) Gilbert, Elizabeth Gooding (D’Martin Shegog), Brandi and Calvin Watson Zinnel; seven great-grandchildren, Sam Caudill, Draven Gooding, Aidan Gilbert, Taylor Gilbert, Ethan Gilbert, Alexis Saffer, and Simeon Zinnel; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her husband, William O’Connor, Berdell is preceded in death by her parents; one son, James O’Connor, who passed away November 7, 2018; one granddaughter, Susan Gooding; three brothers, Herman Crawley, Kenneth Crawley, and Marvin Crawley; and two sisters, Evelyn Mehrer and Alice Lehnus. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, the American Diabetes Association, or to Uplifted Care, formerly Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

Berdell M. O'Connor

November 17, 1920 - February 19, 2021