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John Berger

1920 - 2015

John Berger obituary, 1920-2015, Residnet Of San Jose, CA

BORN

1920

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Willow Glen Funeral Home

1039 Lincoln Ave

San Jose, California

John Berger Obituary

Chaplain John W. Berger, CDR (Ret.)

August 6, 1920 - July 12, 2015

John, known affectionately by many as Chaplain John, passed away at his home surrounded by his family.
John was born in Mt. Shasta to Gideon Gottlieb Berger, a Methodist pastor, and Georgiana Wellons Berger. After serving in the Army during WWII, he attended Stanford University and the Pacific School of Religion. In 1953, John joined the Navy serving nearly 30 years as a Chaplin. He served multiple tours during the Korean & Vietnam Wars.
After retiring from the Navy, John continued to serve congregations in Stockton, Soledad, and Williams in California. John never really retired, continuing to serve with the Civil Air Patrol, SJPD Chaplains, Correctional Institute of California Chaplains. And for 18 years he held Chapel Services aboard the USS Hornet in Alameda.
An accomplished pianist and vocalist, John used his talents to reach out to all he met. From singing at church, to singing with kids at Vacation Bible School, to belting out the National Anthem at baseball games in San Jose with the Keep the Spirit of '45 ALIVE organization at 90 years young. John had a knack to connect with people, so prevalent a friend proclaimed him "the country boy from Stanford." Chaplain John is leaving a lasting legacy on this earth, one of faith, love, compassion.
John is survived by his wife, Gladys Ione Ingraham Mosher Berger, sister, Sue Shinn, sons; Keith Berger (Laura Santigian) and Ted Berger (Christy) Daughters; Suzanne Tipton (Phillip) and Rebecca Hughes, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Willow Glen Funeral Home on Tues. July 21 from 11:00AM-12:30PM followed by a chapel service at 1pm. Burial is private
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the USS Hornet Museum (www.uss-hornet.org), Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive (www.spiritof45.org), or Hospice of the Valley (www.hospicevalley.org).

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jul. 18 to Jul. 19, 2015.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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Goodbye Chaplain Berger, I met you when you served at Moffett Chapel where I sang in the choir alongside my mother and father. Your voice rang out above all. You baptized me when I was 16. You officiated my wedding when I turned 21. Your performed communion on Easter Sunday at my parents home when our mother was too ill to go to church. He also baptized my three sons, and my niece in the pool at Moffett Base. Lastly, you came to my father's memorial in 2014 and gave the final prayer. Thank you for everything. I shall never forget you!!!

Debbie Foster

June 16, 2017

I was the Last SongLeader at the Navy Chapel Aboard the USS Hornet Museum-Serving Under Chaplain John W. Berger-Before He Passed Away! I'll Miss Him&His Blessing Everything That I Bought From the Ships Store-Aboard the USS Hornet Museum! I'll Miss Him&Everything He Stands For!-Good Luck&God Bless You-Chaplain John-You Will Be Missed-By Everyone-Especially Me-Your SongLeader-Raymond "Mike" Hong of Oakland, CA! Rest-In-Peace-Chaplain John-Rest-in-Peace!

Raymond "Mike" Hong

June 30, 2016

John was a true friend as he sailed in and out of Pusan, Korea, in 1953, and later in California. He cared about the people he helped and changed their lives. Rest in peace, John.
Margaret Coston

March 1, 2016

While our pastor of Camp Parks United Methodist Church in Dublin, CA, he guided many young families to the Lord & a life time commitment to John & each other. We all loved his impromptu sing along times & look forward to the day we get to sing together again.

John & Sheila Shultz

July 21, 2015

I will miss you grandpa...RIP, til i see you again.

Amanda Nyberg-Trevino

July 20, 2015

Farewell to my good friend and shipmate, Chaplain John Berger...you will be missed by the many who had the good fortune to cross your path...especially those you touched serving in the Navy at Moffett Field. May your family know that they are not alone at this time, and they will be in the thoughts and prayers of thousands.

John was one of those rare people who could touch your soul with a smile and a kind word. I fondly remember the many times we chatted about his memories of Moffett Field and the lovely chapel we all cherished there. His life was entwined with the Navy, the USS Hornet, the CAP, Rotary and so many other wonderful organizations, but his real calling was his ministry to all of us who knew him...his flock. An unbelievably busy and caring man his entire life, but he always had time to chat and maybe share a bite of lunch. I will miss those moments.

Rest in peace thy good and faithful servant. May God bless you and keep you close.

Carl Honaker Cdr USN (Ret)

July 20, 2015

Chaplain John was a wonderful comfort to our family when my father passed away. He cheerfully celebrated Dad's memorial service in beautiful Navy fashion at the old NAS Moffett Field Chapel, a favorite former duty station of his and Dad's. His many years of celebrating divine services aboard the USS HORNET museum contributed mightily to keeping HORNET a living memorial to life aboard ship.

Robert Kanze

July 19, 2015

Chaplain John Berger was an outstanding support for the POW/ MIA wives in the greater Bay Area during the Vietnam War and after. He held conferences for us,
brought in excellent speakers that helped us deal with our sorrow, and kept us
Connected with each other. He was the one who we met with when the announcement came out at the end of the war regarding which POW's were on the
return list. And he continued to stay in touch with my husband, Dick Stratton, and I after Dick's return from Vietnam in 1973. He was a true friend, and I will always be thankful that he was available to us during those grim years.

Alice Stratton

July 17, 2015

"Listen Up!" He was a Rotarian since 1991 and the best example of living by the 4-Way Test. . . not to mention having a fine tenor voice that led us in singing "God Bless America" after each of his fine Invocations. The Club won't be the same without you, Chaplain John, but we will all be better people for having known you.

all our love, Sara & Greg Calkins
Rotary Club of San Jose East/Evergreen

Sara Calkins

July 15, 2015

Rest Your Oar Shipmate...

July 15, 2015

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Willow Glen Funeral Home

1039 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA

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