Obituary of Phyllis Berger

Phyllis (Phyl) Berger, 79, went home to the lord on July 27, 2023. She was born in Gloversville on March 26, 1944, and is the daughter of the late Herbert and Maria (Ruggiero) Wheeler Sr.

Phyl was a graduate of Gloversville High School and from then went onto the Austin Beauty School of Cosmetology in Troy, NY.

Phyl was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Wilhelm (William) Berger Jr, who she married on June 12, 1965, and by her pet Little Orphan Annie.

Phyl is survived by her brother and sister-in law, Herbert Wheeler Jr. and Nancy Wheeler and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Patricia Berger all of Gloversville, NY. She also leaves behind her beloved pets Bella and Teddy, plus aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Phyl was an avid golfer and bowler.

Phyl golfed in the Vrooman's Ladies Golf League and the Sacandaga Ladies Golf League. She

bowled with the Woman's Merchant Bowling League, the Nite Out League, Wells Swingers League and the Oldies but Goodies Bowling League. She was an officer in all of these leagues over the years. She was a member of the Gloversville Woman's Bowling Association and was on the Board of Directors for 6 years before becoming Treasurer of that group for 19 years. She was a member of the New York State Woman's Bowling Association for 42 years.  She was a state delegate for 19 years and served as an Assistant Sgt. At Arms for 8 years at the state bowling convention. In 2000, Phyl received the N.Y.S.W.B.A. Service to Bowling and Community Award. Phyl was inducted into the Fulton County Bowling Hall of Fame in 1990. She was a member of the Woman's International

Bowling Congress and the United States Bowling Congress. She bowled in many local, state and national tournaments.

Phyl was a Big Sister for 6 years and served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters for 26 years and as their Treasurer for 6 years. For 16 years she was in charge of the Fulton Co. Bowl for Kids’ Sake bowling tournament. She served on the Fulton County Heart Association's Board for 15 years and for 10 years she was in charge of the local Heart Association Walk-A- Thon. She also worked on the Lexington Center Run for 7 years and ran many Scotch-Doubles tournaments to benefit local groups and for people needing a helping hand, especially children.

Phyl was a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit and a member of The Sisters of the Holy Spirit. Through the church she helped with Bingo, rummage sales, pizza sales and other fundraisers.

Phyl worked as Manager at Glen's Tavern in Gloversville for 28 years and for BOCES as a teacher's aide for many years. Phyl will be missed by her family and her many friends.

Mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday August 3, 2023, at 11 am at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 153 S Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 with Father Matthew Wetsel the Celebrant. A burial will follow in the family plot next to her late husband Wilhelm at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Johnstown. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 on Wednesday August 2, 2023, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Phyl may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692