Mary Ellen Berkbigler

MARYSVILLE, Wash. -- Mary Ellen Berkbigler, retired Marysville school teacher, and former teacher in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, passed away peacefully Monday, March 12, 2018, with family members by her side.

Mary Ellen was born Oct. 3, 1921, in St. Louis. The family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1939, where she met her future husband, Paul Berkbigler. They were married during World War II.

After the war, they eventually settled near Jackson, starting the Timberline Turkey Farm, which they operated for about 10 years before moving to Cape Girardeau.

In 1965, Paul's job with the Scouts took them to Everett, Washington. Mary Ellen started teaching school in Marysville in January 1966 and continued until June 1985.

They moved from Everett to Marysville in the mid-1970s, where they lived until their passings.

Mary Ellen is survived by her three children, Bruce (Ruth), Van (Mary Ann, separated) and Linn (Art, deceased); 14 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and three more grand-babies on the way.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Paul; a grandson, Shaun; and son-in-law, Art Dappen.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.campamos.org, which is the boys home of Grandmother B's grandson, Matthew, in Chiapas, Mexico.