Robert L. Berger

Lifetime Marshall County resident, Robert L. “Bob” Berger, 63, was diagnosed with a cancer related illness in the spring of 2001. Bob died at home in the loving care of his family and the Marshall County Hospice at 8:35 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2001. He died at 7439 Jarrah Road, Plymouth, in the home once belonging to his late grandmother, Clara Berger, where he and his wife have resided for the past 15 years. It has been a family homestead for over 100 years. Bob was born in Bourbon, Ind. on October 19, 1938, the son of Paul Alfred and Dorothy Ritchey Berger. He was raised in Bourbon Township and graduated from Bourbon High School with the class of 1956. He entered Radiology training at Memorial Hospital and later, St. Joseph’s Hospital; he received his continuing education in such places as New York and Texas. In August of 1956, until October of 1959, Bob served in the United States Army: two years were spent overseas in Germany. Esther F. Warren became his bride on August 24, 1957. The couple was married in the United Methodist Church of Bourbon by the Rev. Ross Ritchey. For nearly 38 years Bob was a Radiology Technologist with St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend. He retired in October of 1999. He then worked for 1 1/2 years with Titus, Inc. For 15 of those years, he had also farmed. Known as “Happy Bob,” he was a man of many interests. He liked fishing in the local lakes. In the year 2000, he and his wife, Esther, caught over 500 fish in Cook Lake alone. Being a nature lover, he also enjoyed deer and squirrel hunting. He liked most sports for many years and was a Green Bay Packer football and an Indiana University basketball fan. In earlier years he coached and umpired Little League baseball. Raised in the United Methodist Church of Bourbon, Bob was a joyful member of the Inwood United Methodist Church. He was a soloist and sang in the “Willing Singers” Choir of the church. He served on the Pastor/Parish Committee and could be counted on to help with all things regarding his church. During his treatment in the cancer unit, he was “just Bob.” Despite his own illness, He worked at making things more pleasant for other patients, lifting their spirits and making them smile. Bob is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Esther, and by their three sons and their families : Paul A. and Debbie Berger, and their children, Brandon, Phillip and Bryan, Plymouth; Robert D. Berger, Plymouth; and James D. and Debbie Berger and their children: Kyle, Jimmy, Emily, Jacob, all of Argos. Also surviving is his step-mother, Mary Berger, of Bourbon, a sister, Carol and Carl Butgeriet, Churubusco, Ind., and two brothers: Mike and Linda Berger, Warsaw and Kris and Kim Berger, Bourbon. Bob was preceded in death by his parents. Friends may call at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. P. Michael Dixon, pastor of the Inwood United Methodist Church will officiate. The VFW Post 1162 will conduct graveside services at the Parks Cemetery, Bourbon. Memorial gifts may be made in Bob’s memory to the Inwood United Methodist Church “ New Building Fund,” to Marshall County Hospice or to the St. Joseph Cancer Center.