Josephine “Jo” Berger, 98, was born Josephine Ann Berger in Chicago on July 26, 1918.  She passed away peacefully on April 1, 2017.  Loving daughter of the late Mollie O’Brien Berger and Joseph C. Berger, and devoted sister of the late Mary Jane Redmond and her husband, the late Richard Aloysius Redmond.  Proud aunt of Richard A. Redmond and his wife, Merrilee Clark Redmond, and loving great-aunt of Richard W. Redmond and Michael C. Redmond.

Josephine never married, but she was godmother of several children of family members and friends.  She had an unwavering faith in God, and for several decades recited a daily Novena.  She had numerous friends from childhood who formed an association called the GALMAJADAS, named from the letters of each of the friends’ first names.

Josephine was the granddaughter of William G. Berger, founder and president of Berger Brothers, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of charcoal, established in 1880.  In business, Josephine enjoyed a long and successful career at Lewis Spring and Manufacturing Company.  She started as a bookkeeper when Lewis Spring was founded in 1946 and worked her way up to become president by the time she retired in 1985.  As female head of a major manufacturing company in Chicago that employed over several hundred people, Josephine held a unique leadership position.  She knew the names of every employee and showed interest and concern for them and their family members.  Although Josephine retired from Lewis Spring over 30 years ago, she continued to receive cards and messages from people who worked for her.

Josephine was raised in Chicago, and in 1943 moved with her family to River Forest.  She lived in Oak Brook from 1969 until 2012 when she moved to Bethlehem Woods Retirement Community in LaGrange Park.

The family is grateful to the wonderful friends Josephine made at Bethlehem Woods.  Card games and Bingo gave her great pleasure.  When Josephine’s sister died, she hired her sister’s loyal caretaker, Halina Galek, who helped her for the past seven years.  The family is also grateful to the staff at Bethlehem Woods, to Virginia Solciene, and to the workers at Adventist St. Thomas Hospice.

Visitation 9am until time of Funeral Mass 10am Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 64 Norfolk Avenue, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514.  Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to The Congregation of St. Joseph, 1515 W. Ogden Ave., LaGrange Park, IL 60526 appreciated.  Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 708/352-6500