Ella C. Berger

Ella Cora Berger, 89, Schuylkill County, died December 28, 2020,at 11:00 A.M. in Geisinger St.Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg, PA. She was a resident of Orwigsburg Manor, Schuylkill County since June 2019. Prior to that she lived in Greenwich Township.

She was the wife of late husband Ethan M. Berger.

Born in Windsor Township, she was a daughter of the late Charles M. and Cora E. (Mengel) Kerchner.

She was employed by Kutztown Sportswear Inc. in Kutztown from 1958-1985, and when that facility closed, she was employed by Windsor Knitting Mills Inc. in Hamburg from 1986-1992.

She was a member of New Jerusalem Zion United Church of Christ, Greenwich Township. Ella had served as Treasurer of the Sunday School, Chair of the Cookie Sale Committee, member of the Helping Hands, and member of the choir.

She was always taking care of family and friends; of course, making them food.

She was also an avid baker and candy maker. Every Easter and Christmas Ella would make chocolate candies that she would give to family and friends. These candies consisted of peanut and raisin clusters, peanut butter and coconut eggs, cashew caramel patties, and chocolate covered pretzels. Several family members had a liking of specialties--chocolate covered apricots and white chocolate covered candies, which of course Ella would fulfill. She also made the best fasnachts anyone has ever tasted. When in season she would also make her beloved apple pies and other baked goods. She was your typical Pennsylvania Dutch native that knew her way around the kitchen.

Last but not least, she would make strawberry jelly (EllyJelly) from strawberries she grew initially, then she would pick them at a local orchard of her choosing. Ella also made applesauce from apples family members had and then later on she bought the apples. These homemade goodies would be handed out in mass to her close family members and friends, who would then be able to enjoy them year round. These small but significant gestures will be a memory we will all cherish for a lifetime.

She is survived by a son, Dennis E., husband of Shirley (Arndt) Berger, Greenwich Township; and a daughter, Diane L. (Berger), wife of Larry Miller, Albany Township.

Other survivors include four grandchildren: Jennifer K. (Berger), wife of Charles Strauss; Amanda M. (Berger), ex-wife of Paul Herman; Janelle B. (Miller), wife of Daniel Loeb; and Ryan W., husband of Jaimie (Garner) Miller; and six great-grandchildren: Zebadiah C., husband of Jacqulyn (Marton) Strauss; Ariana L. (Strauss), wife of Andrew McGuire; Lucas C. Herman; Raegan C. Loeb; Connor J. Loeb; and Gabrielle L. Loeb. Grandson Jason A. Berger was deceased.

A graveside service for immediate family will be held Saturday, January 16, 10:00 am at New Bethel Zion Cemetery, Krumsville. The gravesite will also be live streamed and condolences can be made on the obituary page for Ella at www.burkeydriscoll.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ella's name to the following:

Heart Association, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, 300 5th Avenue, Suite 6

Waltham, MA 02451,or New Jerusalem Zion UCC, 1456 Krumsville Road, Lenhartsville, PA 19534, donation to Ella Berger Memorial Fund, or Orwigsburg Center, 1000 Orwigsburg Manor Drive, Orwigsburg, PA 17961, donation in Memory of Ella Berger.