Elsie Berger, age 97, died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. Born in Lynchburg, Ohio, she lived in Canton from the age of 3 and graduated from McKinley High School in 1937. After earning a teaching certificate from Kent State University, she taught English and math in Canton City schools, was an executive secretary at the Pennsylvania Railroad during WW II, sold real estate, and for 18 years owned Herns Ladies' and Children's ready-to-wear store with her husband. The youngest daughter of Rebecca and Ben Adelman, she married Leo Berger in 1942.

Elsie enjoyed sewing, knitting, playing bridge and bingo, and creating crafts. She volunteered at Aultman Hospital (volunteer of the month and the year) since 1955 and at Mercy Medical (volunteer of the month and the year) since 1958. She also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, for the Brownies, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, McDonald's Thanksgiving and Christmas breakfasts, Canton Chamber of Commerce, at Timken High School, Canton Jewish Community Center, Shaaray Torah Synagogue, and by knitting caps for school children. She was recognized for volunteering with the Blanche Motts Award, the JCPenney Golden Rule Award, Red Cross's Volunteer Couple (with her husband) Award, and Aultman's Wall of Fame. She was a member of Shaaray Torah Synagogue, Hadassah, and the Ohio State Teachers Association. She moved to Youngstown, Ohio, in 2016.

Elsie was predeceased by her husband of 52 years and by her sisters Helen (Dr. Lee) Scholnik and Ida (Sam) Figler. She is survived by daughters Roberta (Dr. Stuart) Sears of Cleveland and Jeannie (Gerald) Peskin of Youngstown, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Arnold Funeral Home, 1517 Market Ave. N in Canton, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The family will receive visitors at Shaaray Torah Synagogue, 432-30th St. NW in Canton, from 2:30-4:30 on Tuesday and then at 2012 Crestwood Blvd., Youngstown, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Friday 2-4, and Saturday 7-9 p.m. Contributions in Elsie's honor can be made to the charity of your choice.

Arnold 330-456-7291

www.arnoldfuneralhome.com