Obit: Berger, Thomas J. (1950 - 2008)

Contact: ken@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Berger, Lewellen, Conner

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Monday, 16 June 2008 P. 2A C. 1

Berger, Thomas J. (15 Sept. 1950 - 14 June 2008)

Thomas J. Berger, 57, 1954 Plantation Lane, Kronenwetter, died Saturday at his home. Berger worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in central Wisconsin for 35 years.

He married Francis (Lewellen) Berger on Aug. 20, 1977. They had three children, Lindsay, 20, Christopher, 17, and Nathaniel, 12. They survive.

Berger graduated from Portage Senior High School in 1968 and was a 1972 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and a minor in English.

After college, he worked as a reporter at the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune. In 1977, Berger was hired as a reporter for the Wausau Daily Herald. He left the Herald in June 1980 to earn a graduate degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He returned to the Wausau Daily Herald in March 1981.

Berger became city editor of the Wausau Daily Herald in June 1984, returned to his reporter role in 1987 and became opinion page editor in June of 1989.

From March 2002 until May 2008, Berger was managing editor of the Marshfield News-Herald. Survivors include his wife, Francis; children, Lindsay, Christopher, and Nathaniel, all at home; and one sister. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1901 Kowalski Road, Kronenwetter. The Rev. Frank Conner will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Hayden-Buettgen Funeral Home, Schofield, and then again from 10 a.m. to the time of services Thursday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the children's college fund.

Biographical Information

Name: Thomas J Berger
Birth Date: 15 September 1950
Social Security Number: 389-54-7132
Place of Issuance: Wisconsin
Last Residence:
Zip Code of Last Residence:
Death Date : 14 June 2008
Estimated Age at Death: 58