Blanche B (Staus) Berckbickler

Of Shaler Twp., on Saturday, December 10, 2016, Blanche was the beloved wife of John R. Berckbickler; loving Mom of Tina Opina (Brian) of Plum Boro; daughter of the late John and Mary Hamerwka Staus; sister of Carla Kelly and the late John Staus; sister-in-law of Betty Staus, Betsy James, Barbara Krysinski (Terry); grandma of Melissa, Michael John and Maura Opina; also survived by special nieces and nephews and Carol Aigner.
Heaven gained our hero on December 10th. The most positive, fun spirited, competitive, amazing beautiful lady- she never complained and kept defying all the odds. Not many people can get out of the hospital and go to bingo or a casino the same day. Everyone who met her fell in love with her-her zest for life was contagious. She made a competitive game out of anything she did. She married the most supportive and loving 'old German' and almost celebrated 50 years of marriage with him. Together they had one daughter- and she often said when you get it right the 1st time- why have more! She loved to dance and do the 'mash potatoes' like a champ. She loved Elvis and Alan Jackson and went on many journeys with her daughter and the good daughter following 'Sha na na'. She gained a fabulous son-in-law who introduced her to one of her greatest friends- a competitor and a jokester. Their family grew when her three grandchildren arrived and she loved each of them, bragged about them and said they kept her going and gave her strength to fight. She touched the life of many and made an impact on her nieces and nephews.
She never stopped fighting, her body couldn't handle the fight. She will be missed but each of us will hold a memory that will live with us forever.
Celebrate Blanches life with her family on Tuesday from 2-9 PM at Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 923 Saxonburg Blvd at Rt. 8, Shaler Twp. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Glenshaw on Wednesday at 10 AM. The family respectfully suggests donations be made to Presbyterian Seniorcare Network, Woodside Place Recreation Fund, donatenow.srcare.org.