Edwin Lawrence Berkley

Edwin Lawrence Berkley, 94, of Beaumont, died Sunday, August 15, 2021, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born in Warren, Ohio on January 12, 1927 to Katherine and Lawrence Edward Berkley. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 57 years, Gladys Ann Berkley.

Ed’s family meant the world to him. In the summer of 1960, he moved his young family from Arlington Heights, Illinois in order to accept the position of Beaumont Plant Manager at Eastham Forge, where he worked for over 40 years.

Ed and Gladys enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and spent many memorable summers with their grandchildren in the Hill Country. He was known by all who loved him as a one-of-a-kind “character” who was always looking for unusual ways to make everyone laugh. He was sure to have a joke ready to tell and got a kick out of making children laugh with his fake nose disguise. Ed’s hobby was spending hours in his office “doing his mail” which entailed crafting humorous letters to his brother and great-grandchildren, as well as answering solicitations with hand-written return letters, all of which would have envelopes thoroughly decorated with extra stickers and stamps. He was proud of his Croatian heritage and for years looked forward to the annual lamb roast picnic of the Lone Star Croatian Club. In 2013, he was able to cross another item off of his bucket list when he traveled to Croatia with his sister, Marge, and her family.

Ed came to Christ late in life after the Lord healed his wife during a severe illness. Thereafter, he was a faithful church-goer and loved his North End Baptist Church family. His children & grandkids find great comfort in knowing he will spend eternity with Jesus and is now reunited with Gladys, Eddie & Steve. They look forward to seeing him again soon.

Ed was a veteran of the United States Navy having served in World War II as a machinist. Edwin was a member of B.F. Quicksall Masonic Lodge #1370 and South Park Masonic Lodge #1320. He was also a York Rite Mason, belonged to El Mina Shriners and was Past Worthy Patron of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #71.

Survivors include his best friend and travel buddy, Sherry Shell of Lumberton; sister, Marge Lord of Hemet, CA; daughters, Pamela Kaye Bebee & her husband, Steve and Susan Kaye Berkley; son, Michael Matthew Berkley; grandchildren, Brent Sheffield of The Woodlands and April Sheffield; Carey Bunn & her husband, Michael; Rachel Locando & her husband, Carlos, of Pflugerville; Melissa Berkley and Matthew Berkley of Cold Lake, Canada; great-grandchildren, Austin & Aubrey Bunn; Berkley & Beatrice Sheffield, and their mother, Megan Sheffield of The Woodlands; daughter-in-law, Barbara Berkley; sons-in-law, Adam LaRive and Barry Sheffield; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends. He will be especially missed by his faithful canine companions, Sweetie and Roscoe.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gladys Ann; sister, Betty Jean Berkley; brother, Raymond Berkley; and sons, Edward Franklin and Stephen Lawrence.

A gathering of Mr. Berkley’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 20, 2021, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial, Beaumont.

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