John Raymond Berger – age 94 years, 4 months and 12 days of St. Peter Rd, Versailles, Ohio, passed away peacefully of natural causes with his family by his side at his residence on Saturday July 18, 2026.
He was born on March 6, 1932, in Willowdell, Ohio, to the late Magloire and Bertha (Grisez) Berger. On August 4, 1956, John married Barbara Ann (Shimp) Berger, who survives. They almost made it to their 70th Anniversary. Also surviving are six children: Kathy & Terry Poling of Weaverville, NC; Dave & Mary Beth (Condon) Berger of Versailles; Sandy & Dave Bulcher of Columbus; Deb Berger of Greenville and friend Bob Buxton; Gary & Wanda (Albers) Berger of Lebanon; and Sharon Griggs and fiancée Johnny Hout of New Haven, IN; along with 15 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren with 1 on the way, and 3 step great grandchildren; 4 of his 8 siblings: Richard Berger, Doris & Dick Ware, Nancy & Dan Streib, Ron “Fly” Berger all of Versailles; in-laws, Linda Berger of Centerville and Jean Shimp of Greenville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by 4 siblings: Paul Berger, Jerome Berger (in infancy), Alice Bruns and Bill Berger; brothers & sisters-in laws: Rosie Berger, Alvin Bruns, Bernice Berger, Clarence Shimp, Helen Witt, Roger Shimp, Ruth Frantz, Paul Shimp, Walter Shimp (in infancy), and 2 great grandchildren (in infancy), Julia Sommers and Evan Davis.
John was a 1950 graduate of Versailles High School where he was included on the SWBL (Southwest Buckey League) all-league football team in 1949 as a 132-pound guard. He worked from 1950-1952 at the NCR in Dayton before serving in Korea in the Army from 1952-1954.
He received the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Subsequently, he was privileged to participate in an Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC. John worked again from 1954-1976 at the NCR in Dayton. His goal to become a farmer came true when he began farming part-time in 1964 and full-time in 1976 at the farm on St. Peter Road, Versailles.
John was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the VFW, Versailles Eagles, Poor Boys Tractor Pullers in Fort Loramie, and a Charter Member of the Greenville Farm Power of the Past. He enjoyed participating in tractor pulling events and won several trophies over the years, and he also enjoyed restoring antique tractors. He was especially proud of the fact that his Minneapolis Moline Twin City Model-J 1936 tractor was featured in the national magazine, Antique Power.
John loved to laugh and have fun! He was a good card player, dancer, travel companion, junk man, storyteller, explainer, and jokester. He loved being with his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His goal in life was to get married, have kids and be a full-time farmer. Mission accomplished in an A1 way!
Viewing is to be held at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles from 2-5 pm on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and 9-10 am on Monday, July 27, 2026. Funeral Mass to be held at St. Denis Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Monday, July 27, 2026. Per Dad’s request, ties are optional.
Interment will be at St. Valbert Cemetery. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to be made to the Versailles VFW Honor Guard or EverHeart Hospice – Greenville, Ohio.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Berger family.
