Joseph Anthony “Joe” Bergbower (84) of Newton
Published on June 10 2021 11:57 am
Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will be in the Vanderhoof Cemetery south of Newton. In loving memory of Joe, memorials may be made to the St. Thomas School and can be sent to the Bergbower Family, 7950 North 1280th Street, Newton, Illinois 62448. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Joseph Anthony better known as “Joe” was born September 20, 1936, in rural Newton, the son of Cornelius and Clara (Beasler) Bergbower. He married JoAnn Kapper June 21, 1958, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin. Joe graduated from Newton Community High School in 1953. He was a lifelong farmer and farmed the land that had been in his family since 1879. He was proud to own a centennial farm. Joe served his country in the United States Army.
Joe was a lifelong member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton. He was also a member of the Jasper Post#20 American Legion, Knights of Columbus #1704, Moose Lodge, Jasper County Antique Tractor Club, and the Jasper County Farm Bureau – Past President. Joe was community minded and had served on St. Thomas School Board, St. Thomas Parish Council and had been an ERMA director. Joe enjoyed making maple syrup, welding and making sculptures from scrap metal and loved antique farm machinery.
Joe is survived by his wife of 62 years, JoAnn Bergbower; children, Linda (Randy) Harvey, Gina (Scott) Correll, Randy (Brenda) Bergbower, Vinnie Bergbower, Cindy (Don) Frohning, Eric (Christina) Bergbower all of Newton; 21 grandchildren, Kelly Iffert, Jesse Harvey, Jerod Harvey, Paul Frohning, Christi Frohning, Megan Depositer, Brigit Blank, Travis Bergbower, Katie Harvey, Tiffany Bergbower, Kelcey Semple, Curtis Frohning, Shauna Brooks, Nick Correll, Charity Hobson, Taylor Correll, Terry Bergbower, Justin Bergbower, Adrianna Bergbower, Cody Bergbower and Brittney Bergbower; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Caroline Helregel of Loda; brother, John Bergbower (Flo Barker) of Newton; sisters-in-law – Betty Bergbower of Bluford, Jane (Norb) Ochs of Ste. Marie and Sue (Jim) Kramer of Decatur. Several nieces and nephews also survive
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, son, Bradley Alan Bergbower; sister, Clara Marie (Clarence) Schackmann; brother, Cornelius George Bergbower; infant brother, Cornelius Paul Bergbower and his father and mother-in-law, Clem and Clara Kapper.