Joseph Anthony "Joe" Bergbower, age 84

September 20, 1936 – June 3, 2021

of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 6:14 PM – Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.  Burial will be in the Vanderhoof Cemetery south of Newton, Illinois.  In loving memory of Joe, memorials may be made to the St. Thomas School and can be sent to the Bergbower Family 7950 North 1280 ^th Street Newton, Illinois 62448.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .

Joseph Anthony better known as "Joe" was born on September 20, 1936, in rural Newton, Illinois, the son of Cornelius and Clara (Beasler) Bergbower.  He married JoAnn Kapper on June 21, 1958, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, Illinois.

Joe graduated from Newton Community High School in 1953.  He was a lifelong farmer and farmed the land that had been in his family since 1879.  He was proud to own a centennial farm.

Joe served his country in the United States Army.

Joe was a lifelong member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton.  He was also a member of the Jasper Post#20 American Legion, Knights of Columbus #1704, Moose Lodge, Jasper County Antique Tractor Club, and the Jasper County Farm Bureau – Past President.

Joe was community minded and had served on St. Thomas School Board, St. Thomas Parish Council and had been an ERMA director.

Joe enjoyed making maple syrup, welding and making sculptures from scrap metal and loved antique farm machinery.

Joe is survived by:  Wife of 62 years – JoAnn Bergbower

Children – Linda (Randy) Harvey, Gina (Scott) Correll, Randy (Brenda) Bergbower, Vinnie Bergbower, Cindy (Don) Frohning, Eric (Christina) Bergbower all of Newton, Illinois

21 Grandchildren – Kelly Iffert, Jesse Harvey, Jerod Harvey, Paul Frohning, Christi Frohning, Megan Depositer, Brigit Blank, Travis Bergbower, Katie Harvey, Tiffany Bergbower, Kelcey Semple, Curtis Frohning, Shauna Brooks, Nick Correll, Charity Hobson, Taylor Correll, Terry Bergbower, Justin Bergbower, Adrianna Bergbower, Cody Bergbower and Brittney Bergbower

23 Great Grandchildren

Sister – Caroline Helregel – Loda, Illinois

Brother – John Bergbower (Flo Barker) of Newton, Illinois

Sisters-in-law – Betty Bergbower of Bluford, Illinois; Jane (Norb) Ochs of Ste. Marie, Illinois and Sue (Jim) Kramer of Decatur, Illinois

Several nieces and nephews also survive

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, son Bradley Alan Bergbower, sister Clara Marie (Clarence) Schackmann, brother Cornelius George Bergbower, infant brother Cornelius Paul Bergbower, and his father and mother-in-law Clem and Clara Kapper.