Joseph Edwards Berger

AIKEN, SC – JOSEPH EDWARDS BERGER, 84, beloved husband of Gretchen Kraatz Berger, died Friday, January 6, 2017 at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Joe was born June 16, 1932 to Dr. Benjamin and Genevieve Edwards Berger. He was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh in 1954, Member and President of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He earned his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1956. He was Professor of Business Administration / Economics and Associate VP for Academic Affairs at Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY from 1964 – 1994. He coached Little League Baseball and helped organize the American Legion Team in Pittsford. He moved to Aiken in 1994 and was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Woodside Plantation Country Club. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years. Survivors, in addition to his wife of 60 years, Gretchen, include three children, Joseph E. Berger, Jr. & Mary Ellen, Columbus, OH, Mary Kay Flett and John, Roswell, GA, Margaret Westbrook and James, Johns Creek, GA; grandchildren, William and Eric Berger, Genevieve and Andrew Flett, Melissa and Justin Westbrook; brothers-in-law, Christian L. Kraatz and Eileen (deceased), London, Ontario, Alvin L. Kraatz, Jr. (deceased) and Karen, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; sister-in-law, Karen Eckel and Christopher, Mead, WA; two nieces; two nephews; seven great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon, January 15th at 3 o’clock at First Presbyterian Church with The Revs. Dr. Brian Coulter and Holly Shoaf-O’Kula officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 224 Barnwell Ave., NW, Aiken, SC 29801 or to Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation, 8347 West Range Cove, Memphis, TN 38125. SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Edwards Berger, please visit our flower store.