Anthony B. ''Tony'' Berends

July 21, 1950 - February 24, 2021

Anthony B. “Tony” Berends, age 70, of Edwardsville, passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at his residence. He was born July 21, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of the late Elmer B. Berends and Dorothy M. (Cimiotta) Barnett. Tony owned and operated Berco, a Heating & Cooling business in Edwardsville for many years. His business was important to him because it allowed him to meet many people and help them. He is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Berends & husband Rich Gilbert of St. Louis; son Christopher Berends of Glen Carbon; granddaughter, Lucy Gilbert; Three step-daughters: Pepper Jennings of Plant City, FL, Tara Jennings of Alton; Mindy Gutierrez of Godfrey and granddaughter Katlynn Minor of Mount Olive; his brother, Paul Berends & wife Colleen of Edwardsville; two sisters, Nancy Harris & husband Ronald of Edwardsville, Susan Tallerico & husband Rich of Glen Carbon; extended family, Nicole Coultas & Dustin Sheets of Edwardsville, and many nieces and nephews. Tony served in the U.S. Navy from October of 1968 until October of 1974, of which he spent one year in Vietnam where he earned the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. He has been an avid fisherman since his younger years and to this day he could be found out fishing on many of the area lakes almost every week with his brother Paul. He could be seen every evening walking his four-legged companion Phoebe. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Light refreshments. Tony was cremated according to his wishes. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Partners for Pets in care of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.