Michael James Berg

Michael  (Mike)James Berg, LTC/USAR (Ret), age 71, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, in the loving circle of his family and friends.    

  Born at Milwaukee County Hospital, Wauwatosa on June 22, 1939, Mike was the eldest child of Gordon Earl and Dorothy Phyllis (Lamb) Berg.   He was christened on December 13, 1939, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee by Rev. K. A. Hoessel and later confirmed his faith at Luther Memorial Church, West Allis.   Mike excelled in music and student government at Nathan Hale High School, West Allis, graduating in 1957.   After attending Ripon College, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee in 1963. He and Carol V. Jornlin were married on August 12, 1961 at Cleveland Avenue United Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee; they later divorced.   He remained a devoted father to his children, Lori, Michael, Jr. and Randall.   Mike married Pamela Lynn Miller on July 22, 1983 at Calvary Lutheran Chapel, Madison. 

  Mike proudly served his country in the United States Army, assigned to 1st Battalion, 34th Artillery, 24th Infantry Division as Commander of B' Battery (""Honest John"" Unit), Munich, Germany from 1964 - 1966 and during his tour in Vietnam 1966 to 1967 where he served as Battalion Communications Officer for 8th BN, 6th Arty, 1st Infantry Division.   He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (first oak leaf cluster) and the Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam for meritorious achievement. He was honorably discharged to begin his civilian career with Oscar Mayer as Assistant Personnel Manager in Davenport, IA.   He also served as Personnel Manager in Los Angeles, CA before his promotion to the corporate organization in Madison.   In 1987 Mike was promoted to Vice President, Industrial Relations and remained with the Oscar Mayer -- Kraft organization until his retirement in 1996.   His integrity, innovation, fairness and tireless efforts in labor negotiations earned him the respect and trust of management and union alike.    

Mike continued his military affiliation as a Reservist and was an accomplished competitive rifleman and coach, earning the high power Distinguished Shooting Badge in 1976.   He remained dedicated to and was legendary in building and coaching winning Army Reserve rifle teams nationally until his retirement in 1991. 

  Survivors include his devoted wife of 27 years, Pamela; daughter, Lori (Mark) Feiner of Cross Plains; Michael, Jr. (Tricia) of Newbury Park, CA and Randall (Sara) of Bentonville, AR; his mother, Dorothy Henryson of Greenville, SC; seven grandchildren; Jessica and Emily Feiner, Zecharia, Megan and Caitlin of AR and Francesca and Sophia of CA; brother, Gordon (Patricia) of Napa, CA, and their children, Douglas (Richard Brotherton), David (Jill) and Kelly (Ryan) Rodriguez; sister, Patricia (Leigh) Larson of Simpsonville, SC, and their children, Christine (Donovan) Luhilla and Aaron (Cindi) Larson.   He is further survived by Pam's parents, Eugene and Arlys Miller, brother-in-law Bruce (Karen) Miller and their children, Tobi (Derek) Simons and Tami (David) Federlein; sister-in-law,   Jacqueline (Daniel) Helgeson and their children, Katherine (Tony) Peterangelo, David (Kacie) and Andrew (special friend Melanie Payne).   Mike was loved and admired by many others and will be remembered by a host of dear friends and colleagues.  

Mike was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Winnequah Gun Club, La Crosse Rifle Club, Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 8216, Middleton, the Military Marksmanship Association, lifetime charter member of the National WWII Memorial and life member of both the National Rifle Association and WI-Force.     

Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas, in 1965 and his father, Gordon, in 1969.
 
   A visitation will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison.   A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011 at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, with a visitation one hour prior to services.     Memorials may be made to the Nathan Hale Scholarship Fund; to HospiceCare Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; or to the charity of one's choice. 

  To my Grandchildren.   Never forget how very much you are loved and how proud I am to be your Grandpa Mike.     

  He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept my faith. -2 Timothy 4:7.