Van Berkum, James

James Van Berkum, 61, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a courageous battle with MS. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The Rev. David Beckman will officiate. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and at the church after 10 a.m. Monday.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; a son, Jamie (Kate) of Marion; two daughters, Jennifer Van Berkum and Joanna (Shane) Witter, both of Cedar Rapids; his parents, Cornelius and Georgia (Van Gorkom) Van Berkum of Marion; a brother, Tom (Kathy) of Marion; and two sisters, Jayne (Jeff) Myhre of Plano, Texas and Julie (Joel) Cornelius of Maquoketa. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Beau, Paige and Ava Van Berkum and Caden and Kinsley Witter.

Jim was born Nov. 2, 1949, in Des Moines, and graduated from Kirkwood Community College. He married Joan M. Petrie on May 22, 1971, in Cedar Rapids. Jim was a contractor and was the owner and operator of Metro Builders.

He was a former member of the Harmony Hawks and proudly served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Jim enjoyed music, the outdoors and the sunshine on his many canoe trips, grilling, and especially the time he spent with his friends and beloved family.

Memorial donations may be given to Mercy Hospice in Jim's name.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Dennis and Donna Hospice House of Mercy for the kind and loving care given to Jim.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Van Berkum family on the web page,  under Obituaries.