Michael Richard Bergren

Michael Richard Bergren, 71, of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, March 16, 2026, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, with his wife by his side. Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. There will be no funeral service. Memorials may be made to the family, or to the American Cancer Society.

Mike was born in Moline, Illinois on August 25, 1954, to Clayton and Betty Coopman Bergren. He was raised in Coopman’s Addition near Milan, Illinois. He was educated in the Moline/Coal Valley school system, attending Coal Valley Grade School, Calvin Coolidge Junior High School, and graduating from Moline Senior High School in 1972.

He married Sandra Yaddof on October 9, 1976, in Clinton, Iowa. They have enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage. Together they had two children, Jeffrey Michael Bergren and Jennifer Lynn Bergren. After living a short time in Moline with his family, Mike – along with his father and brother-in-law Fred – built a cedar log home in Coal Valley, where they lived for over 40 years.

Mike also helped his sister Linda and her husband Fred build a cedar log home next door to his home and helped his father build two homes over the years. Mike enjoyed all phases of home construction.

He was very knowledgeable with electronics and technology and worked for several companies in that capacity – including AT&T and Baker Communications (later Windstream Communications).

They put both children through college. Jeff graduated from Purdue University and Jennifer graduated from Indiana University.

He was a talented woodworker, and he loved mowing his lawn with his John Deere tractor.

After he retired, he fulfilled a long interest in HAM Radios. Mike's call sign was KD9LTN, completing the top amateur license of Amateur Extra in 2018. He enjoyed volunteering at area events. Mike served as President of the River Bend Wireless Operators Club in 2020-2022 and was in the Henry County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Team.

He and Sandy traveled extensively over the years, including nearly 20 cruises all over the world. They went to Alaska twice and Hawaii four times. They also traveled to New York when their daughter lived in that area. Most recently, they purchased an RV and were snowbirds in the Mesa, Arizona area.

They enjoyed traveling to Kentucky and San Diego to spend time with their children.

Surviving him are his wife Sandy, son Jeffrey (Emily), Buckner, Kentucky, daughter Jennifer, San Diego, California, grandchildren Jackson, Jenelle, and Bentley, Buckner, Kentucky, sisters Linda (Fred) Polich, Coal Valley, Illinois, and Nancy (Bob) Pizzurro, Naperville, Illinois, and a niece, several nephews, a grand-nephew, and several cousins.

Preceding him in death are his parents Clayton and Betty Coopman Bergren, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

His family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for caring for him during his recent stay.