Clifford Berger

Clifford James Berger, 88, of Ft. Pierce, formerly of Kingsford Heights, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Ft. Pierce. He was born on March 22, 1922, in Carney, son of the late Carl and Eva Berger. He attended the Kingsford schools, and then during the depression went to work in the Escanaba River CCC Camp. He later enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the European Theater during World War II. Upon being honorably discharged, Cliff pursued training as a meat cutter in Chicago. While in Chicago, he reconnected with a hometown girl, Ann Hall. They were married on July 12, 1947, and spent 63 wonderful years together. In 1958, Cliff and Ann returned to Kingsford to raise their family. Cliff purchased a grocery store and expanded it into Berger's Foodland, operating it for the next 20 years. He was a devoted family man. Regardless of how many long hours he worked in the store, the remainder of his time was spent with his wife and children. He enjoyed camping with his family, as well as treasured weekends at the family deer camp. In their later years, Cliff and Ann divided their time between Rivers Bend Campground in the summer and Fort Pierce in the winter. Clifford is survived by his loving wife, Ann Berger, of Ft. Pierce; sons, Gary (Christine) Berger of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Don (Rita) Berger of Hancock, Randy (Fern) Berger of Aurora, Colo.; and Dale (Linda) Berger of Brookfield, Wis.; brothers, Robert Berger of Marquette, Arnold Berger of Panama City, Fla. and Eugene Berger of Iron Mountain; sister, Ethel Sicard of Appleton, Wis.; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Norman and Clarence Berger and a sister, Helen Trudell. Visitation will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the Kingsford Funeral Home, located at 1000 S. Carpenter Ave. in Kingsford. The funeral service will follow Saturday at 12 noon at the funeral home. Rev. Steve Wilson will officiate. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 will accord full military honors. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory. Condolences to the family of Clifford James Berger may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Kingsford Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Clifford Berger

January 15, 1923 - January 15, 2011