Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
John Berger Obituary
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).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Berger
Sponsored by Willow Glen Funeral Home.
Debbie Foster
June 16, 2017
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!!!
Raymond "Mike" Hong
July 1, 2016
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!
March 1, 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
John & Sheila Shultz
July 21, 2015
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.
Amanda Nyberg-Trevino
July 20, 2015
I will miss you grandpa...RIP, til i see you again.
Carl Honaker Cdr USN (Ret)
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.
Robert Kanze
July 19, 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.
2009 Palo Alto Alice Stratton and Chaplain John
Alice Stratton
July 17, 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.
Sara Calkins
July 15, 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
July 15, 2015
Rest Your Oar Shipmate...
Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results
Make a Donation
in John Berger's name
Memorial Events
for John Berger
Jul
21
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor John Berger's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
