Employees at Geneva veterinary clinic mourning loss of co-worker killed while crossing the street

GENEVA – Employees at a Geneva veterinary clinic are mourning the loss of a coworker who was killed while crossing the street last month.

Tammy Berke, 55, of Batavia worked at Valley Animal Hospital, 810 E. State St., on Geneva’s East side, a veterinarian at Valley Animal Hospital confirmed. The animal hospital is near where a car struck Berke on Sept. 28 on East State Street just west of Eastside Drive in Geneva.

“We at Valley Animal Hospital are grieving,” Dr. Jennie Christakos said in an email.

Berke died at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

“The sudden loss of our beloved coworker and friend Tammy Berke has been most difficult,” Christakos wrote. “Tammy was an extremely hard worker – a natural with animals. She will be sorely missed at Valley Animal Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tammy’s family and friends.”

Geneva police still are investigating Berke’s death.

“Our detectives are still conducting interviews and working to obtain data from the vehicle,” Deputy Chief Brian Maduzia said in an email Oct. 6.

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell said the preliminary autopsy showed Berke died from blunt force trauma from being hit by a car.

Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles is handling the arrangements. The funeral home’s website said a celebration of Berke’s life will be held at a later date.