Audra L. Berg

March 11, 1968 - May 2, 2020

Audra Lee Berg, age 52 of Mattoon, IL passed away unexpectedly at her home at 5:51 PM, Saturday, May 2, 2020. A funeral service in her honor will be held at noon, Friday, May 8, 2020 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938; Pastor Josh Butler will officiate. Burial will immediately follow in Dodge Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be Thursday evening, May 7, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Audra was born in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada on March 11, 1968, the daughter of Rodney and Dace Smith. She married Richard (Rick) K. Berg III on July 10, 1993 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her two proudest accomplishments occurred on October 16, 1996 when she brought her first child, Jackson Ray Berg into the world. Her second, but equal accomplishment occurred May 10, 2000 when her “mini me” Jillian Rebecca Berg arrived. She is survived by her parents Rod and Dace Smith of London, Ontario, Canada. Her husband, Rick of Mattoon. Her son, Jackson Berg of Fayetteville, Arkansas and her daughter, Jillian Berg of Tucson, Arizona and Mattoon, IL. She is also survived by her Maternal Grandmother, Velta Ligers of London, Ontario, Sister and Brother in Law Erin (Mike) Marriott of Sarnia, Ontario, Brother and Sister in law Diane (Brian) Gillaspie of St. Louis, MO, Sister and Brother in Law Rebbeca (Rich) Lykins of St. Louis. She also leaves several special nieces, Abby, Scout, Greer ane Elaoiise Marrion, Hannah Gillaspie, and Cecelia Lykins. Audra graduated from high school in Canada, and was recruited to play Division 1 Golf at Illinois State in Bloomington-Normal where she graduated with a degree in Education in 1991. She said in golf you can tell how good you are by how far south you play, and always told the story jokingly she was recruited to play twelve hours south. After graduation, she came to Mattoon and was the Head Golf Professional at Buck Grove Golf Course where she met her eventual husband. Following her successful trek through US Immigration, she earned her Illinois teaching certificate. She taught grade school in Elwood Illinois, before she and Rick returned to Mattoon, where she taught for Effingham Community 40 for eight years. While at Effingham, she was a finalist for the Illinois Teacher of the year in 1998. In August of 2002, Audra decided to take her love of children and teaching from the classroom to the business world, feeling she could impact more children’s lives. She purchased Sylvan Learning Centers in Mattoon, Champaign, and Springfield. She eventually added centers in Carbondale, Effingham and Decatur. She worked relentlessly and tirelessly running her centers, refusing to allow any obstacle to stand in her way, all the while changing the lives of thousands of children who attended her centers over the last eighteen years. Audra was a former member of the Mattoon Golf and Country Club, where she was a nine time Women’s Club Champion. She was also a member of the Sylvan Franchise Association. However, her true love and passion in life was her children. She traveled thousands of miles every year, following Jackson as he played golf, the one game that ultimately changed her life and gave her the family she loved so. And she probably traveled hundreds of thousands of miles being the ultimate dance mom. Nothing made her happier than watching Jillian transform from a little girl into a beautiful artist on stage. She continued touching lives during each of her children’s journeys, having and making friends all across the country. Memorials in Audra’s honor may be made to University of Arizona’s Alpha Phi Philanthropy Women’s Heart Health, 1930 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. Those who are unable to attend the service may remotely attend live via Tribucast. Please use the following link at 12:00 PM, Friday, May 8, 2020 at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/97274006 . Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in