Edward M. Berg (1884-1940)

Ed. Berg, who has been a patent at the veterans' hospital at Indianapolis for several weeks, passed away at that institution this morning. Lowell relatives were notified of his death and at press time funeral arrangements had not been completed.

from The Lowell Tribune, Feb. 1, 1940 (and also found in the Local History Files at the Lowell Public Library--LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 3, page 87):

Edward M. Berg, son of the late Nicholas and Elizabeth Berg, was born at Goodenow, Ill., August 8, 1884, and passed away at the Veterans' hospital at Indianapolis, Jan. 24, at the age of 55 years, 5 months and 16 days. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Ida Viant, of Lowell, and one brother, George Berg, of Glendale, California, five nieces and eight nephews.

Ed Berg was a man who bore the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends in all parts of the state, as well as in Lowell, where he came with his parents when a small child.

When the World War started he was among the first to volunteer his services and enlisted in the Marines where he served until the end of the war, and was honorabley discharged from the service.

After his discharge from the army* he returned to Lowell, where he opened a gents furnishing store which he disposed of after several years. Later he entered the State Conservation Service and served as a game warden, being stationed at Rensselaer the past four years. About two years ago his health began to fail and he finally entered the hospital with the hopes of getting relief from his ailment.

When Lowell Legion Post was organized he was one of the charter members of the Post and was an active worker for its upbuilding. He served one year as Commander of the Post.

Funeral services were held at St. Edward's Catholic church at 10 a.m. Monday in charge of Rev. Edward Boney, who paid a high tribute to the deceased, and emphasized the fact that if the teachings of the Constitution of the United States and the American Legion were strictly followed by our people there would be no more wars. Members of the Lowell Post attended the services in a body and performed the ritualistic ceremony of the American Legion over the remains of their departed comrade. That Ed. Berg was held in high esteem by the state conservation officers with whom he worked was demonstrated by the fact that about 50 of them attended the funeral, 45 counties being represented. Interment was made in St. Edward's cemetery, northeast of town, in charge of Weaver and Son.

* NOTE -- Richard Schmal, Edward Berg's nephew and Lowell's town historian, says that Mr. Berg served in the marines, not the army.