William "Bill" John Bergles passed away quietly on March 26 at the age of 99. Bill was born on March 2, 1925, to Slovenian immigrants Anton Bergles and Frances Jersin Bergles, on a small farm in Wausaukee Wisconsin. Bill was sixth of eight children: Tony, Frank, Ann, Rose, Mary, Bill, Louis, and Sophie who all preceded him in death. After graduating high school, Bill enlisted in the Army, and was sent him to India, Burma, and China, to do his part defeating fascism.  After returning from the war, Bill met the woman of his dreams, Josephine "Jo" Kurianowicz; they married on June 14, 1947, and were happily married for 66 years, until Jo passed away.  They moved to Chicago to join several of their brothers and sisters and then moved to Niles in 1956, living in the same home the rest of their lives.  They were long and active members of the St John Brebeuf Community.  Bill was a member of The St Vincent DePaul Society, The Holy Name Society, and was an Minister of Care who distributed communion and company to shut ins and the hospitalized for twenty years. Bill was always an avid athlete. He played high school basketball (usually to the irritation of his farmer Dad) in between milking the cows and bailing hay. He loved softball, bowling, and continued playing basketball into his 50s when he tore his knee up snowmobiling and decided it was a good time to learn to play volleyball. He coached his sons in Little League and threw countless hours of batting practice to many little leaguers.  Bill worked two or three days a week until he was 80 because he enjoyed it and it kept him active. He loved driving to all corners of the country with his wife and visiting his children, grandchildren and other friends and family. In order to stay healthy, he followed a strict diet of hot dogs, Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches, Walker Brother's Cherry Kijafa crepes, and chocolate candy. He was a lifetime suffering Cub fan and joyous Packer fan, passing away warm under his favorite Packer comforter.

Bill and Jo had four children, William "Bill" (deceased) Bergles Jr., Ray (Doris) Bergles, Donna Brown, and Brett (Christie) Bergles. He was a loving Grandpa to his six grandchildren, who he was much more lenient with than his children: Kevin Brown, Joey Bergles, Jay Bergles, Courtney Leal, Jeni (Joe) Bushman, and Jaci Bergles. He was preceeded in death by Nasha his beloved cat and partner in naps. In technical terms, he has "a whole bunch" of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was "Uncle Bill" to over a hundred.  With a life so full of family and friends, it is Impossible to thank everyone. But a special thanks to Tom and Therese Byrne for bringing communion and spending time with him every Sunday for the last several years right up to his final Sunday. Also, to the good folks at Amada Senior Care who helped make his last few years more comfortable and happier in the home he loved; and the staff at St. Benedicts who cared for him his last months.

He was a great person, husband, dad and grandpa. All that knew him were the better for it.

Visitation will be held at Skaja terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral Friday 9:15 AM to St. John Brebeuf Church for 10:00 AM Mass. Interment Maryhill Cemetery. Funeral info 847-966-7302

In lieu of flowers, Masses or donations are requested to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. John Brebeuf Church,8307 N. Harlem, Niles IL 60714 or to the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls are requested. or www.skajafuneralhomes.com