Donald L Berger

BERGER, Donald L.Former Teacher/PrincipalElmira City School DistrictWas born June 22, 1924 in Milton, PA the son of the late Roy and Sarah E. (Reed) Berger, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at the Elcor Health Services in Horseheads, NY at the age of 83. His first wife, Agnes Jean predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Margaret (Crocker) Peg Berger; beloved daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Larry Smith of Horseheads, NY; step-children, Lisa (Daniel) Hughes of Endicott, NY; Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Murray of Elmira, NY; Julie (Peter) Beaghen of Vestal, NY; Amy (Brooks) Henderson of Cornelius, NC; adored grandchildren, Gretchyn (Daniel) Bedard, Sarah Smith, Kevin and Kyle Hughes, Corinne and Erin Murray, Ella and Haley Beaghen, Jacob and Jesse Henderson; brothers, Robert (Margaret) Berger of Horseheads, NY; William (Alice) Berger of Peabody, MA; sisters, AnnaLou (William) Bentley of Penfield, NY; Judith (Charles) Suermann of Horseheads, NY; along with numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Don proudly served his country in the US Army from 1943 to 1945 and was the recipient of the Purple Heart. Mr. Berger taught in the Elmira City School District at the Hendy Avenue Elementary School and Elmira Free Academy. He retired from the Elmira City School District after serving as principal in the following schools: Booth, Riverside and Wellsburg. He was an avid outdoorsman and was a member of the Fur, Fin and Feather Sportsman Club in Chemung, NY. Don enjoyed woodworking, carpentry and photography. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue Elmira, NY on Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Funeral services honoring his life will follow the visitation at 6 PM. Lay Minister John P. Knapp will be officating. The Chemung County Veterans Honor Squad will also accord Mr. Berger Military Honors at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to Southern Tier Hospice 11751 East Corning Road Corning, NY 14830 or to the Arnot Ogden Medical Center Heart Institute 600 Ivy Street Elmira, NY 14901 in Dons memory.