Jerry Lee Bergman, 76, of rural Mt. Olive, died on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, at 9:03 p.m. at HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Jan. 24, beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Gary Schwab of First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield.
Mr. Bergman was born Jan. 29, 1943, in Carlinville, to Harold George and Evelyn Lucille (Shipp) Bergman. He married Melanie Louise Caldwell on April 29, 1967, in Lawton, OK, and she survives.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1961, and went on to serve his country during the Vietnam War era in the U.S. Army Missile Defense.
Mr. Bergman furthered his career as he obtained an associate's degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. During his career, he served as blacksmith at Granite City Steel for 40 years and farmed with his brother Dallas for several years in south and southeast Litchfield.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 436 and the Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association. He enjoyed traveling with his wife on their Honda Goldwing Trike.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Bergman is survived by four brothers, Dallas Bergman, Dennis (Wendy) Bergman and Roger (Becky) Bergman, all of Litchfield, and Richard (Maxine) Bergman of Raymond; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Sharon Heitzman and Evelyn "Janie" White; sister-in-law, Janet Bergman; and brother-in-law, John White.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
For more information, to light a candle or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
