Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ellsworth Worthington Berger

Sept. 12, 1911 - July 22, 2002

South Bend Tribune 7/25/2002

Ellsworth Worthington Berger, 90 years old, residing on Ontario Road, Niles, MI, passed away at 7:35 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2002, at the Silverbrook Manor Nursing Home, Niles. Mr. Berger was born on September 12, 1911, in Lakeville, to the late Jacob and Rose Berger. He has been a lifelong area resident.

In the summer of 1964, Ellsworth married Juanita Clark. She preceded him in death on February 2, 1990. One son, Earl Berger, also preceded in death in 1997; two stepchildren, Charles E. Clark and Jane Clark Hillegas, have also passed away. Ellsworth is survived by one stepson, Al (Dixie) Clark of South Bend; step-daughter-in-law, Mrs. Charles E. (June) Clark of South Bend; three sons, Homer (Kathleen) Berger of Rapid City, S.D., Galen Berger of Rapid City and Gerald Berger of South Bend; one sister, Evelyn Kline of Lakeville; two step-granddaughters, Connie Lynne Clark of Oakland, CA, and Debbie Treash of Niles; two step-grandsons, Alan (Jan) Clark of Bethlehem, PA, and Charlie Clark of Las Vegas; and step-great-grandchildren, Nathan and Meghan Clark of Bethlehem. Six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive.

Ellsworth loved gardening. For many years, he had a fruit and vegetable stand on Ontario Road in Niles. He was always very proud of his harvest, especially his zucchini and pumpkins. He was formerly employed at Studebaker Corporation and American Motors, both of South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2002, at the Palmer Funeral Home - River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Rev. Ed Erskin, pastor of Northway Church of Christ, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday. Contributions in memory of Ellsworth W. Berger may be donated to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. Sixth Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544.