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

Employees at a Geneva veterinary clinic are mourning the loss of a co-worker who died last week after being struck by a car in Geneva.

Tammy Berke, 55, of Batavia worked at Valley Animal Hospital, 810 E. State St., on Geneva's east side. The animal hospital is near where a car struck Berke on Sept. 28 while she was crossing East State Street just west of Eastside Drive.

"We, at Valley Animal Hospital, are grieving," Dr. Jennie Christakos stated in an email.

"The sudden loss of our beloved co-worker and friend, Tammy Berke, has been most difficult. 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."

Berke later died at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, according to Geneva police, who 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 Thursday.

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

Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles is handling the arrangements. But no obituary or funeral information is available, and the website states a celebration of Berke's life will be at a later date.