Julie Ellen Ehler, age 71, was with loved ones when she passed away early Thursday morning,
March 28, 2024, at her home in Urbana, Illinois, after a 15-year battle with colon cancer.
Julie was born July 25, 1952, in Berwyn, Illinois, the daughter of Earl and Doris (Robertson) Berg.
She was one of five children who grew up in Brookfield, Illinois. She fondly remembered
vacationing as a family across the U.S. to national parks and other destinations.
Julie graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1970. She attended Southern Illinois
University, where she studied agricultural business. There, she roomed with her sister Janet,
making many memories and ultimately meeting her husband, David. After three short weeks,
the two were engaged. A year later, Julie left SIU to begin her life with him in Urbana, Illinois.
She returned to complete her degree at Eastern Illinois University, graduating in 2010.
David and Julie married on March 15, 1975, and had two children, Amber Rae and Aaron Lee.
Through life's ups and downs, they stood by each other's side, finding comfort and strength in
one another.
Julie was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the King's
Daughter of Quebec. She was an exceptional equestrian, which was exemplified by her many
accomplishments. She shared her love of horses with her sisters, who followed her down the
riding trails of Chicago Forest Preserve throughout their youth. She will be remembered for her
lifelong love of horses and over 35 years of showmanship with quarter horses. Together, Julie
and David bred and raised many quarter-horse foals. It became a true family affair, with many
futurities, National Snaffle Bit Association and World Show wins. She was a board member of
the Illinois Quarter Horse Association for many years, managing several awards banquets. For
17 years, she also ran her own business as a distributor for Select the Best Supplements for
horses.
Among her other activities, she also loved hobbies such as handmaking cards, knitting,
crocheting, canning, cooking, and caring for her many loved companions, such as her dogs and
cats, throughout the years.
Throughout her life, Julie exemplified resilience and strength. She approached every obstacle
with courage and grace, inspiring all who knew her. She was incredibly proud and grateful for
her family and friends. Julie leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion that will continue to
live on in the hearts of her loved ones.
She is survived by her husband, David Ehler, Urbana, Illinois; son, Aaron (Jessy) Ehler, Gibson
City, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Blaine and Nora, and her siblings, Stephen Berg-Hansen of
Prescott, Arizona, Jeffrey (Kathleen) Berg of San Antonio, Texas, Janet (Claude) Nattier of Pekin,
Illinois; and Joyce BergHansen of Phoenix, Arizona, and her mother-in-law, Dolores Ehler of
Thomasboro, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Amber Rae, her parents, Earl Harold Berg and Doris
Virginia (Robertson) Berg, and her father-in-law, Roy Ehler.
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 3. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with
funeral services following at 11:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville, Illinois. Baier
Family Funeral Services will assist the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be sent to The Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana and
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville. To share a memory or condolence,
visit www.baierfuneralservices.com