Ernest Leonard Bergen, 92, of Rochelle, IL formerly of Wheaton, IL passed away Thursday Oct. 18, 2012 at the Franklin Grove Living & Rehabilitation Center. He was born Feb. 4, 1920 in Newton Kansas the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Riffle) Bergen. He was united in marriage to Eudora Elizabeth Hendrickson on July 21, 1940 in Newton, Kansas. Ernest enlisted in the Navy Jan. 1944 and served in the Pacific on board the USS LST 747 as Signalman and was an acting Chaplain on board his ship. After his naval service he worked in maintenance for Our Lady of Angels Franciscan Sisters in Wheaton. Ernest enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, gardening and reading. He was preceded in death by his parents, son: Phillip Dale Bergen 1985, Sisters: Lydia Palmer, Pauline Woolery and Edith Brown; brothers: Harold and Eldo Bergen.

Ernest is survived by his wife Eudora. 1 son: James (Sally) Bergen of Rockford, IL; 1 daughter: Rebecca Bergen of Rochelle; 1 sister: Verna Frey of Chandler, AZ; 7 grandchildren: Kimberly (Joseph) Giebudowski, Sheryl (Dave) Symons, Sam (Maile) Bergen, Dale (Debbie) Ashby, Timothy Miller, Phillip Bergen Jr. and Karen Lynn (Mark Sr.) Gaylord; 17 great grandchildren: Brandon (Ashley), Kaleigh Beth, and Lindsey Rebecca Giebudowski; Sheila, Joshua and Caleb Symons; Aiden, Charis and Kalena Hope Bergen; Robert and Erin Ashby; Mark, Sarah, Joshua, Nicholas, Aaron and Nathaniel Gaylord; 1 great great grandson: Bryson Giebudowski.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Hub City Senoir Center. Memorial to be established. Burial of Cremated Body will be at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle.