Thomas J. Berger 1912-2007

KUHM, FINCH, BERGER, KIMBALL, MOELLER, DESTIVAL, JONES, HIEMES

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 10/7/2007 at 22:12:53

A Funeral Mass for Thomas J. Berger, 94, of Oelwein, formerly of Sumner, was held Monday, Oct. 1, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with the Rev. Paul Ouderkirk celebrating the Mass.

Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, with graveside military rites conducted by the Oelwein American Legion Ross Reid Post 9.

Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas died Friday morning, Sept. 28, 2007, at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters, Oelwein, after a brief illness.

Thomas Joseph Berger was born Nov. 16, 1912, in Oelwein to Thomas and Mary (Kuhm) Berger. He received his education at Sacred Heart School.

During World War II Tom joined the U.S. Army and served in Normandy, France, and central Europe.

On Sept. 15, 1950, Tom was united in marriage with Katherine Eloise Finch in Toledo, Ia.

He worked as a switchman for the Chicago Great Western Railroad for 36 years, retiring in 1978. The couple lived in Hazleton and then moved to a farm near Sumner in 1963. They lived on the farm until they moved to the Oelwein Care Center in 2003.

Tom was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the Hazleton American Legion, and the Oelwein VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sons, Tommy Berger, Charlie Berger, Jack Kimball and Don Kimball; a great-grandson; and a sister, Marie Berger.

Surviving are Tom's wife, Katherine Berger of Oelwein; five children, Bob (Ellen) Kimball of Evergreen, Colo., Marlene (Ken) Moeller of Solon, Connie Destival of Panama City, Fla., Shirley (Bob) Jones of Des Moines, and Mary (Larry) Hiemes of Arlington; 33 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Benny Berger of Evansdale.

Fayette County Union
October 2, 2007