John David Berens

Date of Birth

Mar 08,1997

Date of Death

Mar 21,2017

John David Berens, age 20, of Maple Park, formerly of Lena, IL, died unexpectedly in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
He was born on March 8, 1997, in DeKalb, IL, the son of David and Joanna (Gregorich) Berens.
John grew up in Lena, IL and attended local schools. He graduated from Lena-Winslow High School with the class of 2015 as a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the Academic Bowl. He alone was chosen from Lena-Winslow to go to the State Championship during his sophomore year in 2013. He did all this while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average for all four years. John continued his education and was currently enrolled at Waubonsee Community College where he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society for junior colleges.
John loved online games and was adept at living in the “game world”. He always had room in his heart for animals, especially his “best buddy”, Franklin, a loveable pug. If he wasn’t online, John enjoyed playing cards. Dirty Rummy, Hand and Foot, Five Crowns, Canasta and Skipbo were his specialty. It was a fact that he always won, and sometimes even won money, but only speculated that he was counting cards. Recently, in an attempt to eat healthy, John flexed his culinary muscles in the kitchen with an ever expanding repertoire. John had a kind and compassionate heart. He was often more concerned with others and rarely asked for himself. There was a time when John could feel the light and love of his family and friends. Over time, it became more difficult for him to see past the darkness and in one tragic moment, John could see no other way to escape. The legacy of laughter and love ended in an instant, but does not change the memories that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who loved him.
He is survived by his parents: Joanna (Justin Boye) Berens and David Berens; one brother: Brendan Berens; paternal grandparents: David and Wanda Berens; aunts, uncles, cousins and a family of friends.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: John and Judith Gregorich.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A memorial service to celebrate his memory will follow visitation at 7 p.m. Private cremation interment will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in John’s name. Checks may be made to the “John Berens Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can see his full life story.

A memorial service will follow visitation from 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL.

Friday, March 24, from 5-7 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home

Private family interment will follow at a later date.

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