contributor: 

Oconto County Reporter  
June 26, 2001  

John E. Berg, 68, Suring died June 19, 2001 following a short illness. He was born in the Town of Eaton to the late Peter and Mary (Theisen) Berg on March 15, 1933. John served in the Marine Corps. during the Korean Conflict. He married Vi Ruch in De Pere April 24, 1954. The couple lived in Green Bay where John was employed by Northern Paper Mill, Culligan Water, and later as a Salesman for Rural Insurance, until purchasing Berg's Bar & Grill in Suring in 1976. The family presently operates the Bar & Grill.

John loved softball, bowling, golf, hunting, and the Packers. He was Past President of the Oconto County Tavern League and a State Director of the Wisconsin Tavern League for many years. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Suring.

Sadly missed by his wife Violet of Suring; six children and their families: Debi (Darrell) Zimmerman, Shari (Dale) Umentum all of Green Bay, Cindi (Dennis) Ferdon of Abrams, Bob (Dawn) Berg of Oconto Falls, Jim (Penny) Berg, Rick (Lisa) Berg all of Suring. Further survived by six sisters Mary Ann Wiedrech, Lucille (Robert) Mayer, Doris Delahaut, Dorothy (Terry) O'Hearn, Irene Berg, Verna (Al) Hanold; three brothers Louis (Evelyn) Berg, Carl (Joyce) Berg, and Clifford (Dorothy) Berg; in-laws Margaret Berg, Mildred Pethke, Dorothy (Ervin) Doehler, Rose (Junior) Paholke, Henrietta (Ron) Liechti, and Paul (Bonnie) Ruch; 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by a brother, Melvin Berg; two brothers-in-law Dean Delahaut and Otto Pethke.

Visitation was held at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring on Friday, June 22, starting at 4 p.m. until prayer service 8:30 p.m. with Sister Karen Vollmer officiating. Funeral services were held Saturday 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Suring with Father William Stengel officiating. Burial in the church cemetery.

A special thank you to St. Vincent Hospital 9th Floor and its staff, to Woodland Village-Suring and its staff, also all the friends and relatives who have been so supportive during John's recent illness.