Francis Xavier Berkemeier

Francis Xavier Berkemeier

Of Jackson, died peacefully at home surrounded by his devoted wife and their family.

The eldest of nine children, Frank was born to Francis & Betty (née Konkel) Berkemeier immediately following the peace of World War II. At the age of 12 he secured the booming neighborhood paper route and volunteered his earnings toward his tuition at St Mary Star of the Sea School, graduating Class of 1965. Working overtime at the Goodyear factory to fund his further studies, he attended Jackson Community College before transferring to the University of Dayton, blazing a trail for many of his siblings, nieces, nephews, and children to follow.  Graduating in 1969, he was accepted to the University of Notre Dame Law School and drafted for military service in the Vietnam War.  By God's providence and Nixon's foreign policy change, Frank received a last-minute reassignment to Germany and was honorably discharged after two years of service.

Following law school (ND '74), Frank began a successful career in his hometown at Consumers Power Company where he worked with state, federal and international energy policy, specializing in oil and gas land-use contracts. He spent his time, talent, and treasure with great legal and business sense as well as great heart, investing in local real estate and supporting locally owned businesses and Catholic education.  Without counting the cost, he gave his time to civic and charitable endeavors for decades, including the Exchange Club of Jackson, Birthline, and the Knights of Columbus, while also leading many pro bono cases that he believed were matters of justice directly impacting the wider Jackson community. Frank lived out the corporal works of mercy and had a particular charism for visiting the sick, burying the dead, and comforting those in mourning.

Frank was proud of his family heritage.  An avid learner, he studied the Polish language under his aunt, a Felician sister, at Madonna College in Livonia.  Picking up her mantle, he became the family's chief correspondent with relatives in Poland and initiated travel for generations to come. Politically, he became an activist in support of the Polish Solidarity movement, attending lectures in Ann Arbor, assisting in job placement for refugees, and raising funds and material goods for the people of Poland during national strikes for freedom against communism.

In 1983 Frank met Janet, a "spunky" Systems Analyst at Consumers Power while standing in line for the Golden Harvest Dinner at St Mary Star of the Sea. Joining in Frank's mission-oriented adventures they became a dynamic duo and inspired each other to live with more zeal.  They were married on a sweltering Saturday in July 1985 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. Together they dreamed big, buying and restoring a 1910 home which they filled with six kids, lots of love, and many happy memories. They instilled in their children the virtues of faith, hard work, frugality, generosity, and love for their local community. In a world competing for his time, Frank enjoyed attending Janet's JSO cello concerts, the children's sporting and music activities, and reading to the grandkids for hours on end.  Despite the busy and often hectic schedule, Frank prioritized daily prayer, Sunday Mass, and weekly Eucharistic adoration, leading his wife and children to be the light of Christ in the world. Frank enjoyed sharing simple pleasures: listening to the Sunday morning Polka hour, dancing with his bride, biking around town, planting tulips, fresh European Bakery bread, canning during harvest, popping stovetop popcorn, and preserving the natural wonder of Berry Lake.

After 33 years at Consumers Energy, Frank served as a Trustee for Madonna University and started his next venture: farming on his "slice of Heaven" near Berry Lake where he relished the fresh air and manual labor.

Frank ran his race well and equipped those who knew him to do the same.  He will be remembered for his love and faithfulness, servant's heart, and the calm he brought to the happy chaos of family life. He will be terribly missed.

Preceded in death by Frank's parents Francis B. Berkemeier and Elizabeth R. Berkemeier, and brother-in-law Doug Macklin, as well as his and Janet's pre-born daughter Dorothy Alison Berkemeier.

He is survived by his everloving wife of 40 years, Janet; six children:  Monica DelMedico (Nick), Franz Berkemeier (Melia), Gretchen Hentemann (Eric), Andrea Brelje (Ben), Henry Berkemeier, Geraldine Berkemeier; 10 grandchildren:  Francesca and Angelo DelMedico; Antonia, Theotokos, Zosia, and Stella Maris Berkemeier; Gerard and Karl Hentemann; Louise and Paul Brelje; eight siblings: MaryJo Macklin, Phil Berkemeier (Mary), Paul Berkemeier (Marianne), Tom Berkemeier (Mary Rose), Elizabeth Simurdiak (Ron), Joe Berkemeier (Maria), John Berkemeier (Linda), Steve Berkemeier (Margaret); and countless other beloved family and friends both in the US and in Poland.

Thank you to the care teams at Henry Ford, University of Michigan, and Chelsea Hospitals, and Hospice who cared for him during his final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to St Mary's Star of the Sea, Birthline, Madonna University, or VHL Cancer Research.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Friday, July 11th at 10 am EST with interment to follow at St John's Catholic Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Thursday July 10th from 3-7pm EST with a Rosary beginning at 6 pm EST

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 135 Years