SYRACUSE — Jay M. Berkey, 67, Minster, Ohio, formerly of Warsaw, passed away at 3:42 p.m. Dec. 18, 2016, at his home. He was born Sept. 22, 1949, in Warsaw, to John R. and Esther L. Matthews Berkey. He graduated in 1968 from Warsaw High School, received a degree in welding, and was a United States Army veteran. On Dec. 31, 1981, in Milford, he married Deborah A. Howard, who survives. He was a farmer, retired from Sprint in Sidney, Ohio, after 20 years and worked at Ply Gem, Sidney, as a forklift driver for five years. He grew up in Warsaw and moved to Ohio 19 years ago from Warsaw. He was a member of the Faith Alliance in New Bremen, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Berkey, Minster; two daughters, Rebecca (spouse James) Kuether, Minster, and Jaianne (spouse Todd) Unrast, Cassella, Ohio; a son, John Berkey, Fort Loramie, Ohio; and nine grandchildren: Adam, Grace, Ashlee, Emilee and Kylee Kuether; Rylee, Colten and Wyatt Unrast; and Gavin Berkey He was preceded by his parents. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with Pastor Trent Fledderjohann officiating. Burial will follow in the Milford Cemetery. ***** Memorials to Wilson Hospice, 1083 Fairington Drive, Sidney, OH 45365. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. To send condolences to the family in Mr. Berkey’s memory, visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
