James "Jim" L. Berkebile

James L. "Jim" Berkebile, age 73, left this world and entered into Heaven on November 7, 2023, after a long battle with COPD.  

Jim was born on October 31, 1950,  in Johnstown, PA. He is preceded in death by his  parents, Jack London Berkebile Sr. (1963), Virginia (Lentz) Berkebile (1983), brother Lt. Jack Berkebile (1968), sister Debra (Berkebile) Riley (2015), grandfather William Lentz (1951) and grandmother Myrtle Lentz (2001). 

James is survived by sister, Barbara (Berkebile) Arnal and husband Nick , FL, sister in law, Nancy (Caeti) Larkin and husband, Lance, FL, brother in law, Richard Riley, Ohio, former wife, Lynn (Caeti) Berkebile, Johnstown, children Justin L. Berkebile, Bellefonte PA, and Jordan L. Berkebile and wife, Amanda (Torroni), Summerville SC. Grandchildren- Brighton, Jace, Willow, August, and Ellis.  Nieces and Nephews- Alexandra, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Richie, Jenna, and Nick. And close friend, Jane Phillips- Windber PA.

Jim was a 1968 graduate of Westmont High School and a 1972 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown, where he obtained BA in English / Writing. Jim had a long career as a contractor/ home remodeler and was well known as an excellent roofer.  He retired in 2015.

Jim was an avid sports enthusiast and loved football, hockey, and bowling.  He never missed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, in particular, and he attended every Johnstown Chiefs Hockey Game.  He also bowled in two leagues.  Jim coached Little League baseball and attended all of his sons’ baseball, football,  soccer games, and indoor band shows.  His children have fond memories of going to hockey games with their dad, and listening to him tell creative bedtime stories.  Jim loved his family and really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren when they would come to visit. 

Jim was a member of Oakland United Methodist Church where he served as a greeter. Jim loved the Lord, and attended Bible studies for many years. Jim had the blessed assurance and guarantee of heaven, because he put his total faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. He knew that Jesus died for his sins on the cross, was buried and raised on the third day. Jim knew that he could not earn his way to Heaven and that Jesus Christ did it all for him. Because of his faith in Christ, James is absent from his earthly body, and now present with the Lord. Jim is sorely missed by his family and friends, however, for those of us who are in Christ, we are confident we will see him again when we join him in Heaven.

As per Jim’s insistent wishes, there was not a viewing or any type of service.  Jim wanted to be cremated and those arrangements were completed by Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont. Jim’s ashes will be laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery, in Johnstown.

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