Andrew Berkland, 76, of Marseilles, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley.
Many a man have gone by the moniker “Big Daddy”, but for those of us who knew him, there will always be only one. Big Daddy of Marseilles, IL was born on March 11, 1944 in New London, CT to Donald and Margaret Berkland, and grew up in a very humble family with five brothers and sisters.
Big Daddy was a story teller and loved to tell of the fateful day in the mid 1960’s when he and his twin brother Russ decided to travel from Seneca to the big town of Marseilles to eat at the Club Almar. As soon as they were seated, he noticed a sparkling young lady working at the restaurant and looked to his brother immediately telling him he was going to marry her someday. Sure enough, his word came true when he married Elaine Christine Svoboda on August 30, 1969. They remained together until “Big Mama’s” untimely passing on January 28, 2018.
There were many other stories Big Daddy loved to tell, especially when his good buddy, David Combs (whom he affectionately referred to as A.H. #1) was around so they could reminisce about their many snowmobile trips to Wisconsin including getting stuck in the middle of a half frozen lake, having their trailer literally break in half on the way home, and accidentally driving through barb wire fences.
Big Daddy served in the US Navy and could often be seen adorning either his USS Randolph or Proud Veteran hat. He always complained that he requested to serve on a battleship on the East Coast but he got stuck on an aircraft carrier on the West Coast. He often told stories of his service time such as having too many cocktails one night and diving into shark infested waters with a knife in his mouth on a dare or water skiing and getting dumped into a school of thousands of poisonous jellyfish causing him to spend a week in sick bay.
Besides telling stories, Big Daddy was a constant instigator. You had to have your head on a swivel if he was ever behind you or you’d end up with a “wet willy”, and if you ever sat down at the table without checking your chair first you would normally end up with a wet bottom because of the water he would pour on it when you weren’t looking. He loved golfing, fishing, and playing cards, especially when couples would get together for men vs women spades games and would just laugh when Big Mama could never figure out why the men would always win. Along with Big Mama, he never missed a Buffett concert and insisted upon getting a tequilla bottle costume to wear in the parking lot for tailgating before shows because he was jealous of all the attention his son would get with his palm tree outfit.
Big Daddy was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and Lions Club where he previously served as Club President and loved to bartend and help on bingo nights as well as all of the other events throughout the year.
He is survived by his children, Kristi Schmidt and Duane (Jessica) Berkland, both of Marseilles, IL; his grandchildren who were the love of his life, Brayden and Conner Schmidt and Killian and Marina Berkland; his sister, Doreen (Lloyd) Maglone, many nieces and nephews, and hundreds of other great friends who would put up with his antics.
Along with his wife and parents, Big Daddy was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Berkland Jr., Russ Berkland, and Walt Berkland; and sister, Valerie Ator.
Big Daddy always told people he never got even, he always got ahead, so for your last chance to try and get even with him, visitation services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Marseilles from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 12th with a short prayer service immediately following, with Deacon Ron Wackerlin officiating. Entombment will be private in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.
He was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Love.
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