Submitted by: Dan Rich

Henry Joseph Berreth

March 7, 1926 - Dec. 12, 1998

South Bend Tribune 12/29/1998

Henry ''Joe'' Berreth, 72, of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., formerly of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away after a brief illness on Dec. 12, 1998. Joe was born on March 7, 1926, to Henry and Clara (Weber) Berreth in Mishawaka.

On Oct. 30, 1943, he married Ruby M. Wagner. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a year before her death. He served in the U.S. Army from August, 1944 through March, 1946. Joe was an agent for Standard Oil until he purchased the facility and business in September, 1975 and started Berreth Oil, Inc. with his family. In 1981 he retired, moving to Florida with his wife leaving his family to continue the business.

He is survived by his sons, Dennis (Peggy) of South Bend, and Stephen of Granger, Ind.; two grandchildren, Jeffrey (Margaret) of Mishawaka and Jennifer of Chicago, Ill.; two great-grandchildren, Shawn and Jenna Berreth of Mishawaka; his mother, Clara Berreth of Mishawaka; a brother, Larry (Aniel) of Mishawaka; two sisters, Joyce (Tom) Wierick of Mishawaka and Judy (William) Martin of South Bend; and by several nieces and nephews.

Just a few times in each of our lives something touches that part of us that is forever. It may be a field of flowers swaying in the breeze or the curve of the ocean wave just before it breaks-and those are the things that make us what we are; you have touched us in that way. His presence will be missed greatly by his family and his friends.