Rev. Fred A. Berchtold

Rev. Fred A. Berchtold, 84, of Mundelein, IL passed to eternal life on June 28, 2021.  Fred served as pastor at a number of United Methodist churches in northern Illinois.

He was a progressive advocate of social justice and church accessibility for people with disabilities. He used storytelling, puppetry, and clowning to share God’s love. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Dee Abbate; children, John (Jenny) Berchtold, and Deborah (Justin) Potts; grandchildren, Rachel Hope, and Grace, Rose, and Evan Berchtold; great-grandson, Cameron Berchtold; brother, Robert Berchtold, and step-children, Laura, Bill, and Jeff Ruetsche. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Jane Berchtold; parents, Frances and Ethel June Berchtold; and sister, Marion Berchtold.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday July 24 at First United Methodist Church of Elgin, 216 E. Highland, Elgin. Memorial donations may be made to The Heifer Project, or to the American Cancer Society.