John Louis Berges
Born: December 6th, 1875
Died: August 3rd, 1934
Obituary
John L. Berges, 58, of 1247 Madison Avenue, order clerk at the Benteco warehouse, Hawkeye and Washington streets, was instantly killed about 1 o’clock this afternoon when run over by a 6 ½ ton truck owned by the firm and driven by Raymond Cowell, 1624 Agency St.
The accident occurred right in front of the warehouse. It is reported that Berges attempted to jump on the side of the truck, which was partly loaded, when he fell beneath the wheels, the rear wheel running over his back and head, causing instant death.
The truck was on its way to deliver some provisions to one of the company stores, and a moment before the accident Berges is said to have thrown some work aboard the same to be delivered to his home by the truck driver.
Mr. Berges had been an employee of the Benteco organization for 14 years. He is married and has four children.
Police were at once notified of the accident and Officers Delashmutt, Smith, and Harry Anderson responded, lending all possible aid and directing traffic at the busy corner. Coroner Chris Adank was notified and the body was removed to the Unterkircher funeral home.
Funeral services for John Berges of 1247 Madison Ave. who was killed yesterday afternoon when he was run over by a Benner Tea company truck in front of the company warehouse on Washington street, where he was employed as an order clerk, will be held in St. Luke’s Evangelical church tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 preceded by private services in the Burnett-Wallen funeral home with burial in Aspen Grove cemetery.
John Louis Berges was born in Wheeling, Minn., Dec. 6, 1875, the son of Rev. and Mrs. JD Berges. He came to Burlington 36 years ago and was married here Aug. 9, 1905, to Miss Mary L. Gerlach, who survives him. He was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Church and at the time of his death was a member of the church council. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge.
Besides his widow, he is survived by his 81-year-old mother, Mrs. Wilhelmina Berges of Burlington; a son, Carl E. Burges of Chicago university; three daughters, Miss Anna Berges, Miss Esther Berges, and Mrs. Harold Hill of Burlington; four brothers, Oscar, Adolph, and Paul all of Burlington and Arthur of Birmingham, Mich.; and three sisters, Miss Lydia Berges, Miss Elizabeth Berges, and Mrs. Adolph Morlock all of Burlington. His father, a son, Lawrence, three brothers, and a sister preceded him in death.
Coroner Chris Adank plans no inquest into his death.