Thomas “Tom” John Bergman
Thomas John Bergman was born in Quincy, Illinois July 15, 1932, to Viola Heinz Bergman and Joseph L. Bergman. He passed away in Quincy June 5, 2021.
Tom was a 1950 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Quincy. Afterward he enrolled in the Navy where he became a signalman aboard the USS Des Moines. He sailed around the international dateline several times, crossed the Arctic Circle and spent many months in the Mediterranean. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal with European Clasp. These adventures gave him stories to share for a lifetime. He married his love Marjie Musholt April 11, 1953. Returning home in 1954, he settled into working at a nursery and a few years later started Landscaping Brothers with his brother. He took many certification courses over the years and became a Registered Landscape Architect.
He was active in his community, including the Tri-State Civil War Roundtable, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, St. Francis Solanus parish school board and the buildings and grounds committee, St. Francis Holy Name Society, the Elks Lodge and Ducks Unlimited. He was a longtime member of Spring Lake Country Club where the family spent many happy years. Tom had the distinction of being the oldest living member of the Quincy Boat Club. He was passionate about hunting and the joys of outdoors and was an expert at sniffing out morels. Tom was your friend for life but suffered no fools. Tom loved nothing more than talking with people, sharing his views and many fascinating stories.
Tom’s best roles were those of loving husband to Marjie and father to his six children: Jan Flanagan (Jim), Diane Frese (Tom), Dave (Sue), Ted (Carol), Joyce Romine (Bruce), and Matt (Shelley). He lived to see 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with one more due soon. They are Bryan & Kirsten Flanagan (Mary Elizabeth, Kathleen, Tommy, Molly); Sean and Cassie Flanagan (James, Lily, Cormac); Kevin and Laura Flanagan (Clare, Peter); Nathan and Brandy Frese; Julie and James Buchheit (Henry, Leo); Amanda and Chris Kuehl (Regan); Alexis and Frank Cavender; Josh and Alyssa Bergman, Jessica and Sam Bergman; Jack, Olivia, Valerie and Lana Romine; Lake and Sierra Bergman. He missed Marjie terribly since she passed in December 2016. Godspeed, dear Dad. Give Mom a kiss for us.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjie, an infant brother, brother Wayne and great-granddaughter Margaret.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Visitation will precede the Mass from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Church. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Donations appreciated to the American Cancer Society (www.donate3cancer.org or P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123) or the Quincy Notre Dame Foundation (1400 So. 11th St, Quincy, IL 62301).
My deepest condolences. Tom was one of my favorites! Rest in Peace, my friend!
Dear Bergman Family, Tom was an extended
Dear Bergman Family, so sorry for your loss. Will miss Tom and his stories. Sad to know that generation of Our joined Bergman family are now all passed :, Tom, Margie, Betty and Wayne. Wishing you all peace. Cindy
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Bergman Family at this difficult time.
Your dad was full of life and plenty of spirit. He was certainly a long-standing friend of the Kunkel Family.
He is now reunited with your lovely mother and a multitude of relatives and friends.
Fondly,
Kristin and Family
My sincere condolences, Diane & Tom. It’s so tough to lose a great dad. Prayers and peace to you.
Diane, Tom, and family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Diane and Family – I am sorry for your loss – I wish you peace
Charlie had many great times with the Bergman Brothers hunting in Missouri and Nebraska when we still lived in Quincy. Even helped with the irrigation job in Nauvoo after we moved to Iowa.. Great memories of times gone by. So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing–a dear friend missing now.
Ranella (widow-Charlie) Pribble
Bergman family – So happy your dad was able to go hunting one last time (or 2) in the fall. I know how special that was for him. Your dad was a one-of-a-kind and now is able to be with Margie again. Much love to all of you.
Donna
Dave and entire family our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. I remember Bobby saying how much he enjoyed listening to Tom’s military stories. 🙂 RIP
Jeff, Joanne & Robert (Bobby)
Diane and family, so sorry and sad to hear of your dad’s passing. He was so fun, his sense of humor and kindness made it easy for us to become fast friends. Our deepest sympathy, Alan and Sandy Boone