HOMER – Shawn Edwin Berkman, 26, of Homer passed away Monday (Feb 6, 2012) at home.

Shawn was born Oct. 23, 1985, a son of Erik (Cara) Edwin Berkman and Sharron Ann Fisher, both surviving. He married Amanda Eloise Borrett on Dec. 29, 2008, and she survives. Shawn and Amanda have three daughters, Mataya Eloise (7), Melanya Grace (6), and MayBell Claire (2).

Other survivors include one sister, Elaine (Frank) Barber of Ogden; two step-sisters, Amber (Jacob) Wantland and Ashley Lomax of Catlin; two step-brothers, Anthony "Drew" Lomax and Jedediah Bean of Catlin; grandparents, Ronald and Jaqueline Berkman of Urbana, Helen and Willard "Scott" Fisher of Onekama, Mich.; step-grandmother Phyllis Nightlinger of Catlin; and many nieces and nephews.

Shawn is preceded in death by step-grandfather Carl James Nightlinger of Catlin; and several brothers-in-arms, including Daniel Patrick Cagle.

Shawn enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman on Nov. 16, 2005. He served with the third infantry division out of Fort Stewart, Ga. Shawn served on active duty until 2009, including a 15-month tour in Iraq. Shawn earned multiple awards during his service, including a personal coin directly from General Petraeus.

Shawn remained in the reserves until the time of his passing.

After serving on active duty in the Army, Shawn and Amanda settled in Homer with their children, where he served as a volunteer fire fighter.

Shawn was a loving and caring husband and father to all of his daughters, including his two oldest whom he adopted in 2009.

His passions included his family, motorcycles and music.

Shawn returned from Iraq a wounded veteran.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to a veteran's relief fund of your choice in memory of Shawn or to a college fund that is to be established for his young daughters.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at New Horizon United Methodist Church, 3002 W. Bloomington Road, Champaign. Military rites will be accorded. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St., Sidney.