William J. Bergin

April 24, 2024 at 1:26 p.m.


William Joseph Bergin, age 82, of Brookville, went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.  

Bill was born at home in the stone house in the Sand Bottom on September 16, 1941 in Brookville. He was the oldest of three children born to the late Carl William ‘Bill’ and Naomi May ‘Gretchen’ (Foreman) Bergin.  On August 22, 1970 he and the former Karen Beneker were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church, Klemme’s Corner.

Mr. Bergin was retired from the Franklin County Community School Corporation. Bill was an educator for more than 35 years serving as a librarian, a football coach and scout, and for most of his tenure a fifth-grade teacher at Brookville Elementary.

He was a man of devout faith. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, he enjoyed his opportunity to serve as the sponsor of the Christian Gardeners Youth Group and his participation in Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a Board Member Emeritus of the Franklin County WATCH Council and served many years as a coach for Franklin County Special Olympics; he was a Franklin County Right to Life Member; and a brother in Delta Chi Fraternity at Ball State Teacher’s College.

Bill loved singing, getting just the right scald on his Kansas City Steak Soup, working any and all word puzzles - especially the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sunday edition, watching Larry Bird’s Celtics and his mighty Cincinnati Bengals. He could often be found at the kitchen table or in his wheelchair turning the pages of a mystery novel or cookbook as he was an avid and lifelong reader. And if you ask Pierce or Caroline, he was the best Monopoly banker a grandkid could ever have.

Survivors include his wife of over 53 years, Karen Bergin of Brookville; two sons, Brendan (Julie) Bergin of Louisville and Michael Bergin of Brookville; two grandchildren, Pierce and Caroline Bergin; a brother Mark (Faye) Bergin of Brookville; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Naomi, his sister, Lora Volz; as well as his father and mother-in-law, Ray and Helen Beneker, and his brother-in-law Roger Beneker.

Family and friends  visited on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville, IN.

Rev. Ladona Webb officiated the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4025 Highland Center Road, with burial following in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Klemmes Corner.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the WATCH Center Council Inc.  

The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Bergin family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences, please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Paid obituary.

William Joseph Bergin, age 82, of Brookville, went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.  

Bill was born at home in the stone house in the Sand Bottom on September 16, 1941 in Brookville. He was the oldest of three children born to the late Carl William ‘Bill’ and Naomi May ‘Gretchen’ (Foreman) Bergin.  On August 22, 1970 he and the former Karen Beneker were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church, Klemme’s Corner.

Mr. Bergin was retired from the Franklin County Community School Corporation. Bill was an educator for more than 35 years serving as a librarian, a football coach and scout, and for most of his tenure a fifth-grade teacher at Brookville Elementary.

He was a man of devout faith. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, he enjoyed his opportunity to serve as the sponsor of the Christian Gardeners Youth Group and his participation in Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a Board Member Emeritus of the Franklin County WATCH Council and served many years as a coach for Franklin County Special Olympics; he was a Franklin County Right to Life Member; and a brother in Delta Chi Fraternity at Ball State Teacher’s College.

Bill loved singing, getting just the right scald on his Kansas City Steak Soup, working any and all word puzzles - especially the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sunday edition, watching Larry Bird’s Celtics and his mighty Cincinnati Bengals. He could often be found at the kitchen table or in his wheelchair turning the pages of a mystery novel or cookbook as he was an avid and lifelong reader. And if you ask Pierce or Caroline, he was the best Monopoly banker a grandkid could ever have.

Survivors include his wife of over 53 years, Karen Bergin of Brookville; two sons, Brendan (Julie) Bergin of Louisville and Michael Bergin of Brookville; two grandchildren, Pierce and Caroline Bergin; a brother Mark (Faye) Bergin of Brookville; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Naomi, his sister, Lora Volz; as well as his father and mother-in-law, Ray and Helen Beneker, and his brother-in-law Roger Beneker.

Family and friends  visited on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville, IN.

Rev. Ladona Webb officiated the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4025 Highland Center Road, with burial following in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Klemmes Corner.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the WATCH Center Council Inc.  

The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Bergin family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences, please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Paid obituary.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Frosh’s no-no highlights UC’s week
Union County’s freshman pitcher Cole Cheatham picked up a loss in the Pats’1-0 loss to Hagerstown Thursday.

Whitewater Valley REMC Community Trust awards several community grants
The Whitewater Valley REMC Community Trust, Inc. has awarded several grants to local community organizations.

UCSO responds to concerns regarding K9 ICE
Union County community members raised concerns when they learned the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) K9, ICE, was being temporarily housed at the Union County Animal Shelter due to unforeseen circumstances.

FC track; girls vault to records
Franklin County track and field faced off with Connersville last Tuesday and swept the Spartans; the boys won 76-46 while the girls were 69-45 winners.

FCHS senior selected as Hoosier Girls State Counselor
Franklin County Senior Sophie Garrett was recently selected to be a Counselor at Hoosier Girls State.