Rennatta D. Berkshire

Rennatta D. Berkshire, our beloved Mother, Sister, Aunt, Nana, and best friend, 79, of Brookston, formerly of Monticello, passed away peacefully with her family at her side at 11:11 am on May 11, 2023.

  She was born March 18, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Frank W. and Eileen F. (Rikman) VanVoorst.  Rennatta was a 1962 graduate of Reynolds High School, where she was a cheerleader, band member and participated in the school plays. 

   Her marriage of 41 years was to Jerry L. Berkshire on November 2, 1968 in Royal Center; he preceded her in death on December 9, 2009.

  A devout Catholic, Rennatta was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lafayette, and also a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Reynolds, St. Joseph Catholic Church of Delphi and Our Lady of The Lakes Catholic Church in Monticello.   She was passionate about and heavily involved in the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, a Catholic spiritual way of life focusing on family.  Schoenstatt is a movement of renewal within the Catholic Church, especially focused on cultivating a love for Mary, the Mother of God, who helps educate and guides us in becoming better followers of Jesus Christ.

Rennatta was also a former member of the Gamma Eta Chapter of the Tri-Kappa Sorority in Monticello.

  Rennatta was the Clerk/Treasurer for the City of Monticello from 1992 until 2008.  She enjoyed her interaction with her constituents and friendships made with her co-workers over those 16 years.  She also worked as Secretary for the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine and worked as the Operations Officer for First National Bank of Indiana.

Rennatta cherished spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren play sports and other activities.  She was blessed to have had very special friends and enjoyed spending time with them.  Rennatta also enjoyed golfing, gardening, sewing and making quilts.  She also enjoyed spending the last 14 winters in Winter Haven, FL and the wonderful neighbors close by.  She loved her special companion, her dog Bella.

  Surviving are her children, Gregory Berkshire (companion: Lesa) of Alexandria, VA, John Berkshire of Lafayette, Antrine “Anne” Wagner (husband: Kyle) of Brookston and Elizabeth Samperio (husband: Jose) of Indianapolis.  Rennatta treasured her grandchildren, Victoria, Alexander, Matthew, Kaleb, Ryan, Cecilia, Isabel and Louie.  Also surviving are her sisters, Janet Pherson (husband: Larry) of West Lafayette, Frances Clark (husband: Jim) of Monon and Georgette Jones (husband: Brad) of Monticello.  She is also survived by several special nieces and nephews. 

 Preceding her in death with her parents and husband Jerry is a son Matthew Berkshire, a brother William VanVoorst, and sister Claudette Thompson.

    Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of her Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Reynolds; Fr. Chris Miller to officiate.  Private family interment to occur at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery of Delphi.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement.

  Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com